Body-worn footage captured the moment a drug dealer attempted to flush his mobile phone down the toilet as police raided his home.
Asylum seeker Sabinson Selimaj was found locked in a room by police at a Tunbridge Wells property and wrapping cocaine.
He was captured trying to flush his phone down the toilet. Picture: Kent Police
The 28-year-old was one of four men charged with drug offences after a bust at a property in Scotts Way, Tunbridge Wells, on October 2.
Selimaj, who is originally from Albania, was found in the closed room with 171g of high-purity cocaine, as well as a fake Romanian driving licence and £19,745 in cash.
During a sentencing hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, prosecutor James Harrison told the court how officers spotted a drug deal in the town’s Quarry Road, before raiding the Scotts Way house.
“Sabinson Selimaj was in a locked room at the property trying to break and flush his phone down the toilet,” Mr Harrison explained.
Selimaj was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and possession of criminal property. He pleaded guilty to the offences in court the following day.
Mr Harrison said that Selimaj claimed he was offered a place to stay and locked in the room by others and told to store and wrap cocaine, as well as hold onto the money until it was collected by others.
The court heard Selimaj was someone of previous good character who was vulnerable.
Recorder Deanna Heer KC was told how Selimaj’s application for asylum had recently been rejected, and he had no right to remain in the UK.
Addressing him before sentence, she said: “You must have had an awareness of the scale of the operation you were involved in.
“You had a limited function. You needed accommodation and you agreed to be involved in drugs.
Sabinson Selimaj has been jailed. Picture: Kent Police
“You had a choice, and you made a poor choice.”
Selimaj was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He will serve half in custody and the rest on licence.
A POCA application was made for the cash, and the drugs were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Bartolo said: “This arrest came about as a result of officers carrying out thorough inquiries in the area and acting decisively when suspicious behaviour was identified.
“Selimaj failed to conceal his involvement in drug dealing; the evidence recovered left no doubt about his criminal activity.
“We will continue to target those who supply drugs in Kent and disrupt the harm they cause to local communities.”