Two year sentence for Tonbridge dealer who hid cocaine in car air vents
Sali Iggaliu was initially stopped because his car wasn't insured - it led to a big find for Kent Police...
Saturday 2 March 2024
A Tonbridge drug dealer who hid cocaine in the air vents of his uninsured vehicle will spend more than two years behind bars.
Sali Igalliu was stopped by officers in Paddock Wood after his car was noted as having no insurance and he was seen acting suspiciously - he's now the latest criminal with links to an organised crime group, which uses text messages and postcodes to deliver cocaine, to be put behind bars.
On 22 December 2022, Igalliu was at the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa which was seen by officers parked in Commercial Road.
A bag containing 11 street deals of cocaine was found concealed behind an air vent. Officers also seized £360 in cash, as well as a phone which contained several postcodes and messages consistent with drugs supply.
During police interviews, Igalliu, 21, formerly of Turner Road, Tonbridge, denied dealing and said the drugs seized were for his own personal use.
He was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property (namely the cash seized). Igalliu pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, and on Thursday 29 February 2024 was sentenced to two years and three months’ imprisonment.
DC Nell Shortis of West Kent CID said: ‘Igalliu may consider himself unlucky, as he was able to later provide proof that the car had actually been insured. Regardless, this case demonstrates once again our commitment to tackling a small minority of drug dealers who target our communities.
'Our use of both uniformed and plain clothes officers continues to make it very hard for criminals to operate for any length of time and there will be no let-up in our determination to keep these people off our streets and ultimately get the punishment they deserve.’