An Albanian county lines drug-dealer has been caught with more than £10,000 worth of cocaine and a knife despite being booted out of the UK multiple times.
Xhenson Duka was caught with the illegal items while on immigration bail and will now spend the next three years behind bars after pleading guilty.
The 24-year-old has been deported from UK soil on numerous occasions but has returned illegally each time, Maidstone Crown Court was told.
His vehicle was first spotted parked at a junction in Shepway and later driving along Tonbridge Road on 24 September 2020.
Cocaine valued at up to £10,300, along with cannabis, a stash of £600 in one pound coins and £360 in notes was discovered after officers pulled him over when he turned down a side street.
They retrieved 15 bags of cannabis bud inside a metal flask and 11 wraps of cocaine in a cigarette packet.
Duka, of Harrow, Greater London was arrested and when the seized drugs were analysed they were found to have a street value of between £1,550 and £2,600.
Judge David Griffith-Jones QC told Duka: "You were caught red-handed going about your business of dealing in drugs."
He initially claimed he was living in West Street, Maidstone, but occupants said they had never heard of him when police visited the premises.
Duka, who later admitted he was living in London, was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court after admitting two counts of dealing Class A drugs and carrying a knife in public.
The judge also ordered that his cash and coin stash be confiscated.
Duka's lawyer, Raginda Gill, said: "He was unable to work because of his immigration status and was a young man who was therefore more likely to be groomed and exploited by drug gangs".
Kent police made 37 arrests last month, bringing 40 charges linked to the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, as part of their crack down on county lines drugs supply.
Detective Inspector Martin Williams of the County Line and Gang Team said: "Our officers patrol in uniform and plain clothes and are always alert for suspicious activity that suggests drug dealing is taking place.
'Anybody seeking to establish themselves as a dealer in this area should be left in no doubt that we will identify who they are and swiftly bring them to justice."
Detective Superintendent Mike Worrall said: "Working with our partners, including other police forces remains vital in our efforts to tackle this destructive trade and bring offenders to justice.
"We also continue to need your help, so remember to report any suspicious behaviour.
"By continuing to work together we are getting the message through to criminals that if you try and deal drugs in Kent it is only a matter of time before we will find and arrest you, and bring you before the courts."
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