Albanian Drug Dealer Jailed After Police Uncover Hidden Stash
An Albanian drug dealer described as arrogant by a judge has been sentenced to 25 months in prison after police discovered a concealed compartment in his car containing cocaine and cannabis. Kelmend Tershalla, 22, was arrested in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, last October following a routine traffic stop that led to a significant drug seizure.
Police Discovery and Court Proceedings
During the stop at 5.15pm on October 25, Thames Valley Police officers detained Tershalla for a drug search. Underneath the front passenger seat, they found a hidden compartment containing six vials of cocaine, 31 coloured pots of cannabis with different strains, and five packs of cannabis vapes. Additionally, Tershalla was found with £319.47 in cash and a mobile phone that revealed English messages indicating he was being directed to supply drugs to users.
At Aylesbury Crown Court, prosecutor Peter Shaw detailed how most messages on the phone were in Albanian, but the English ones clearly showed Tershalla arranging drug supplies. Despite giving a no-comment interview to police, Tershalla later admitted to possession of class A and class B drugs with intent to supply, as well as possessing criminal property.
Boastful Photos and Judicial Criticism
During sentencing, Mr Recorder Simon Dyer KC criticised Tershalla for showing off in photographs recovered by police. The images depicted Tershalla posing with what appeared to be a gun, cash, expensive watches, and flashy cars. One photo showed him with his hood up in a darkened room next to a table covered in banknotes, while another displayed him holding a watch over a pile of £20 notes.
The judge stated, There is no relied upon evidence that puts you in a higher category of offending, although the court is not impressed by the rather arrogant showing off of cash, cars and guns, possibly, in the photographs. He attributed this behaviour to Tershalla's immaturity and noted his age as the main mitigation factor.
Defence and Sentencing Details
Defending barrister Rhys Rosser argued that Tershalla was entirely remorseful and had pleaded guilty at an early stage. Rosser claimed the £319 cash was not indicative of significant financial gain and emphasised that Tershalla was being directed in the drug enterprise, playing a lesser role.
However, Judge Dyer sentenced Tershalla, who appeared via video link from HMP Bullingdon and has no fixed abode, to 25 months in prison. The judge warned that as this is Tershalla's first conviction in the UK, any future offences would result in a considerably longer sentence. Tershalla required an Albanian interpreter throughout the court proceedings, highlighting his recent involvement in the UK's criminal justice system.
