A DRUG dealer who came to the UK in a lorry told a judge he wishes to return to Albania before he was sentenced.

Fatjon Lata, 24, was sentenced to 49 months in jail after a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday (June 28).

He was described has being in a ‘manager capacity’ role for drug dealing in West Berkshire.

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Lata, who was involved with the supply of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis, wrote a letter to Judge Kirsty Real ahead of his sentencing to express his remorse as well as his wishes to return to the Southeastern Europe country.

His defence explained part of the wish was due to threats he has received in prison from other Albanian prisoners.

Opening the case, prosecutor Jonathon Sank said the defendant had first been spotted by police in Northcroft Park in Newbury with two other men.

A rucksack was found contained quantities of cocaine and cannabis. The cocaine, which was partly packaged for street sales, was estimated to be £3,500 in street value while the cannabis was £1,200 in street value.

DNA on the rucksack’s zip and the wraps of drugs matched that of Lata’s and he was arrested before being released on bail.

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Police later spotted Lata in Newbury town centre and he ran from officers while dropping a quantity of cannabis on the floor, valued to be £200 worth.

His flat in Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, was later searched by police where further quantities of drugs were found as well as drug paraphernalia including digital scales.

Messages were also found on his phone related to drug dealing which the Crown describe as demonstrating Lata had a ‘management’ position.

Videos on his phone also showed Lata in a brand-new Range Rover vehicle and Mercedes as well as Lata holding large quantities of cash as if ‘bragging about how much money he had’.

Defending Lata, his barrister told the court he had previously been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and has suffered from suicidal ideations while in custody.

However, he is now clean of drugs and has expressed his remorse for his role in the drug dealing charges.

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He had travelled to the UK in 2014 in a lorry and has previous convictions relating to possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Judge Real sentenced Lata to 49 months imprisonment for possession with intent to supply Class A’s with concurrent sentences for intent to supply Class B’s.