When Golemi Gezim came to the UK to earn money he immediately found himself heavy in debt.
Gezim was illegally brought into the country from his native Albania.
But when he arrived he was told he owed the traffickers £12,000 and had to supply drugs in Bristol to pay them off, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Gezim, 23, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply as well as having a false Italian driving licence.
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Judge Mark Horton jailed him for two years and eight months and told him to pay a £170 victim surcharge.
He told Gezim: "You knew that you were going to be brought to the UK illegally.
"You knew that someone, you, would have to pay for the cost of your having been brought here by an illegal route, which was going to be expensive.
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"You knew there were no jobs you could perform legally to obtain money.
"You knew illegal documents were always going to have to be provided for you.
"I accept you didn't know you would have to commit an offence as serious as supplying a Class A drug."
The court heard Gezim would be liable for automatic deportation.
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Nicholas Fridd, prosecuting, said in February police stopped Gezim in a VW Passat on Hotwells Road and he handed them an Italian driving licence in the name of Danko Fontana.
He then touched the gearstick and police noticed it looked loose.
A search of the car revealed a Nokia phone under the gearstick as well as three socks containing bags of white powder.
Also found was an Apple iPhone and a new keeper slip for the car.
When interviewed Gezim made no comment.
The driving licence was found to be an electronic reproduction and a sample of white powder tested positive for cocaine.
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Nicholas Clough, defending, said his client had committed the offences out of "sheer naivety".
He said after being landed with a £12,000 debt to traffickers he had to deal drugs to pay them back.
Mr Clough told the court: "Its not until he gets to the UK people tell him how much he owes.
"He's given a car, phone and drugs.
"Sometimes he has an address and every three to four days people come to the address, they take his money and give him more drugs.
"He's paid £8,000 off.
"When he had paid £12,000 off he would have made his way back to Albania."
