Drug dealer jailed after Project Servator stop in the City

A drug dealer caught by Project Servator officers patrolling the City of London has been jailed for more than three years.

Elton Qosja, 25 (26/05/91), originally from Albania, was jailed at the Old Bailey on Monday, 19 December, for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how plain-clothes officers deployed around Bank Junction at 2pm on Tuesday, 15 November spotted Qosja and another man acting suspiciously. One of the men, Qosja, was then observed getting into a dark blue Mercedes on Lombard Street before getting out again two minutes later and leaving the area with the other man.

Officers suspected a drug deal had taken place so continued to follow the pair. They headed onto Foster Lane, off Cheapside, where Qosja met up with another man and was seen to place an item, later found to be a wrap of cocaine, into his bag. 

All three men were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the court was told. Qosja was found to be in possession of ten wraps of cocaine in a cigarette box in one jacket pocket, and a further one in another pocket.

Qosja was promptly arrested for possession with intent to supply a class A drug, as well as illegal entry into the UK. His companion, also from Albania, was also arrested for the same offences, while the man who received the wrap of cocaine, was arrested for possession of a class A drug. In total officers found 13 wraps of cocaine.

Meanwhile, other City of London Police Project Servator officers were continuing to observe the Mercedes from the earlier transaction. When a man was spotted getting into the driver’s seat, he was also searched. When a further wrap of cocaine was found on him he was also arrested for possession of a class A drug.

At court, Qosja was ordered to serve three years and six months in prison for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, and will be deported after completion of his sentence. His companion faced no further action for the drug offences but was placed in the custody of immigration services to face deportation.

In  addition, the driver of the Mercedes and the man with the bag, who both admitted buying cocaine from Qosja, were both issued with police cautions in custody for possession of a class A drug.

Sergeant Matt Timms from the City of London Police’s Project Servator team said:

“Qosja thought he could move freely through the City of London and carry out his drug deals with impunity but quick-thinking from both our Project Servator officers and Crime Squad ensured that both he, his friend, and his customers, were quickly stopped and dealt with by officers.  

“We hope this shows that it is simply not worth the risk – if you’re carrying or dealing drugs within the Square Mile, you will be caught, and we will do everything in our power to bring you before the courts.”