A drug dealer has been jailed for three years after being caught red handed with cocaine and hundreds of pounds in cash in Tunbridge Wells.

Fagert Voja from Southborough admitted two charges of supplying Class A drugs at Maidstone Crown Court last week.

Police officers arrested the 19-year-old after seeing him drive his black Audi A3 suspiciously in Kirkdale Road in May.

They searched the car and found a chewing gum tub which contained five wraps of cocaine and £785 in cash inside a tracksuit pocket.

Voja, who lives in London Road had provided a false name on his arrest. He was found to also be wanted by the Metropolitan Police after failing to return on bail to face charges for supplying drugs in the Hackney area in 2016.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cocaine with intent to supply and was sentenced on 14 July. The court also ordered the seizure of his car.

The court heard Voja arrived in the UK in the back of a lorry at the age of 19 and then sold drugs to fellow Albanians.

“He had no job and no legality,” said his lawyer Shahid Rashid. “In order to exist, he sold drugs. He will be deported after he is sentenced. You may take the view the sooner that takes place the better.

“He is here illegally. He has no family here. Basically, he is an economic migrant. He has little education.”

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Statman told Voja: “I understand that in serving your sentence you are far from home and your family.

“This is a case of street dealing. You played a significant role for financial gain. I am prepared to accept you are by no means at the top of the chain.”

The judge added: “Issues in relation to your status are not for this court to determine.”

Dave Pate, chief inspector, said: "It’s another successful outcome and also another example of how just how effective my officers continue to be, in dealing with those who try to sell drugs in Tunbridge Wells.

"There remains a lot of hard work to do to keep this area safe and to deter criminals like Voja, whose corrosive actions can really destroy people’s lives. However, I can assure residents there will be no let-up. Drug dealers who try and operate here can expect a robust response and ultimately a prison sentence."