Stourbridge drug dealer jailed for nine years over £100,000 heroin haul
A drug dealer has been caged for nine years after police swooped on a car he was in with £100,000 worth of high purity heroin inside.
Elton Hoxha, 25, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply the Class A drug and money laundering following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Hoxha, of Wychbury Road, Stourbridge, was part of a 'sophisticated' drug dealing ring, the jury had heard.
On January 13, father-of-three Hoxha was a front seat passenger in the Vauxhall Corsa driven by Arber Zyba when it was pulled over by police.
Faition Duduci was in the back seat with the 1kg haul of heroin in two packages next to him.
Police officers stopped the car on Park Road in Lye, uncovered the haul and arrested the trio.
The heroin was 54 per cent average purity, 'consistent with import quality,' the court heard.
Judge Martin Walsh said Hoxha 'no doubt played a significant part' in the acquisition and intended distribution of the heroin.
The judge said it was clear from mobile phone evidence that the network he was involved with was 'sophisticated' and an 'organised activity'.
Hoxha had denied both charges.
Miss Samantha Powis, defending, said: "Mr Hoxha was not sitting with the drugs and didn't touch the drugs."
She said there was no drug paraphernalia in his house and no forensic links to the drugs.
According to Miss Powis, Hoxha had 'worked hard all his life and worked hard for his family' and she hoped the sentence wouldn't 'crush him'.
"The consequences for his family are going to be enormous - not just losing a father and husband for many years, but also their house."
When he was arrested, officers found £14,000 in cash at Hoxha's home.
Judge Walsh said: "Class A drugs destroy individuals' lives and blight communities.
"All those who cynically involve themselves must expect significant sentences."
Duduci, 22, of Vicarage Road, Lye, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply and money laundering.
He will be sentenced later this year after a Newton hearing to decide the facts about his involvement.
Zyba, 28, of Holly Lane, Erdington, was found not guilty of possession with intent to supply after a trial.
