A man who ditched a plastic bag containing a handgun and thousands of pounds worth of cash and cocaine in front of police has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
Kleart Xhaferaj, 26, was arrested in Bretton, Peterborough, on 21 November last year in connection with the discovery of drugs and a firearm in Eastfield, Peterborough, earlier in the year.
Neighbourhood officers had been on patrol in Eastfield on the afternoon of 13 June in response to concerns from residents about drug dealing in the area.
They spotted Xhoni Lazaj, 20, known to be a disqualified driver, driving a black Vauxhall and followed it to a dead-end in Dickens Street, where he and a passenger got out and ran from the officers, initially losing them in nearby gardens.
As officers were searching the area, they came across a plastic bag in bushes, which they believe had been ditched by Lazaj’s passenger.
In it was a handgun, £4,000 in cash and almost £16,000 worth of cocaine.
Lazaj was arrested nearby and a search of his home in Dickens Street, Eastfield, uncovered firearms ammunition, multiple mobile phones, £580 worth of cannabis, handwritten notes which appeared to be “debt sheets” and £950 in cash.
Forensic testing of the discarded firearm found Lazaj’s DNA on it.
Xhaferaj was identified as the passenger and a warrant was carried out a house he was linked to in Dunsberry, Bretton.
Inside officers found £8,791 in cash, some of which was hidden inside an oven, as well as up to £9,270 worth of cannabis.
Xhaferaj, of no fixed address, appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on Monday (12 May) where he was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison, after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, acquiring criminal property – namely cash, and being in possession of a firearm – namely a handgun.
Lazaj was jailed for six-and-a-half years in November after admitting being in possession of a firearm – namely a handgun, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, and driving while disqualified. He was also disqualified from driving for 59 months.
Detective Constable Craig Leslie, who investigated, said: “This was a great spot by neighbourhood officers who were responding to concerns from the local community and intelligence about drug dealing in the area, and then the subsequent investigation involving various teams to build evidence and identify Xhaferaj as the passenger.
“I appreciate the recovery of a viable firearm may be alarming – there is absolutely no place for this type of activity in our county. I would urge the public to continue working with us so we can keep taking dangerous weapons and drugs off our streets.”
Anyone with information or concerns about drugs can report to police online via the dedicated drugs information webpage.
