An illegal Albanian immigrant, believed to be part of a criminal organisation, appeared before Bath magistrates after being found with 28 bags of cocaine in his boxer shorts.
The car park at the Bath City FC stadium in Twerton
The court heard on Wednesday 1st October that Algert Vatoci, who gave an address in Chapter Road in Brent, North London, had been in a vehicle in the car park of Bath City FC in Twerton at 11.30pm on Monday 29th September.
Prosecutor Sadie Waits said that a police officer had been in the area looking for a person on an unrelated matter when he saw a Mazda and noted a strong smell of cannabis.
The defendant, who was hiding under coats, was said to have a “glazed expression”.
He was detained for a stop and search. Cannabis was found in the glove compartment, and there were also two mobile phones and £500 cash in the vehicle.
Vatoci was arrested and taken to Keynsham Police Centre, where a strip search revealed the bags of cocaine weighing 10.64 grams.
He admitted possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and that he had 2.1 grams of cannabis, a Class B drug, in his possession.
He had pleaded not guilty to a third charge under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 of being in possession of criminal property, namely the £500 cash. The prosecution offered no evidence and the charge was dismissed.
The court heard that Vatoci first came to the UK from Albania in 2020 in a small boat and was voluntarily returned in October 2024. He returned here a few weeks ago in the back of a lorry.
The 23-year-old has previous convictions for drug supply.
Magistrates committed Vatoci to Bristol Crown Court in custody for sentencing. A pre-sentence report will be prepared before his appearance on 29th October.
