Northampton man jailed for drug dealing after traffic stop
Bashkim Bushati sentenced to over five years for Class A drug offences
A 48-year-old man was sentenced to five years and six months in prison after a traffic stop in Northampton revealed his involvement in dealing Class A drugs.
Northamptonshire Police conducted the traffic stop at around 2.30pm on 25th March, where they discovered Bashkim Bushati in a blue BMW 3 Series car associated with drug supply, parked on Northampton Road, Harpole.
Bushati, seated in the driver’s seat, was detained for a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Officers seized £395 and a mobile phone from Bushati, while finding 51 individual wraps of suspected cocaine in the driver’s door pocket.
Bushati was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cocaine.
It was further found that he, an Albanian national, had entered the UK in breach of a deportation order.
During police interviews, Bushati denied knowledge of the drugs and claimed innocence, stating the car was a friend’s and he had been working for cash at a car wash in Milton Keynes.
Bushati was charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and breach of a deportation order.
He appeared in Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 26th March, and the case proceeded to Northampton Crown Court for trial.
At his appearance on 7th May, Bushati pleaded guilty to both charges.
On 29th May, he received a sentence of five years and six months at Northampton Crown Court.
Bushati, residing in Victoria Promenade, was ordered to pay a £228 surcharge upon release, and a forfeiture order directed the destruction of the drugs and mobile phone.
PC Katharine Wood, lead investigator from CID West, commented:
“We know that drug harm remains one of the biggest concerns within our local communities…"
She emphasised the commitment to disrupt drug supply and ensure justice is served.
Community members with concerns about drug dealing are urged to report their observations to police by calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously.