Jail for Brighton drug dealer caught with cocaine in his car

He was arrested in the run up to Pride last year

Author: Vanessa BellringerPublished 7th Feb 2023

A drug dealer found with 27 wraps of cocaine in the run up to Brighton Pride last year has been jailed for more than two-and-a-half years.

Elton Bakijasi, of Station Road, Portslade, was stopped by police who suspected him of using the vehicle for criminal activity.

During his arrest, he tried to kick a cubby hole in the car shut where the drugs were hidden and was found to be using a fake Italian driving licence.

The 44-year-old will be deported once he's served his sentence.

Police said his conviction was part of a crackdown on drug related offences in the city.

Chief Inspector Andy Saville, of Brighton and Hove’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Catching criminals and keeping our communities safe is a round-the-clock job, carried out every day of the year.

“This targeted activity combined our safety preparations for Brighton Pride with an ongoing operation aimed at disrupting the drug supply into Brighton and Hove.

“It was a fine example of community intelligence combining with enforcement and CID, to take a significant number of harmful substances, weapons and individuals off the streets.”

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