AN ILLEGAL immigrant caught dealing drugs in Southend has been jailed and told he faces deportation.

Islami Murati, 22, was spotted acting suspiciously in Southchurch Road and when a house linked to him was searched, 103 wraps of cocaine, 20 grams of cannabis, and almost £5,000 in cash were found.

On Friday, Basildon Crown Court heard he “entered the country by boat” in June 2022 and after initially finding work in Yorkshire, he moved to Southend because he knew fellow Albanians in the area.

After he was spotted in Southchurch Road by police, officers searched a home and found a Gucci bag and 20 grams of cannabis.

Further searches found two envelopes with 103 wraps of cocaine, each weighing around one gram, and £4,644 in cash.

The man told police his name was “Renaldo Remaldo” but was later identified as 22-year-old Islami Murati.

On Friday, the court heard that Murati was a lower level “runner” for the drugs gang, before he was jailed for two years and eight months and told he could be deported.

Philippa Page, prosecuting, said: “In police interviews, Mr Murati stated all drugs were for his personal use and denied selling them.”

Kevin Toomey represented Murati in court, explaining the circumstances that led to his drug dealing.

Mr Toomey said: “Mr Murati entered the country in June 2022 by boat, he came from Spain and France, leaving Albania to seek work and send money back to his mum.

“His parents split up some years ago due to violence in the home and his mother works 50-hour weeks for 180 Euros per month.

“He started off working in fish and chips, car washing and some building work in Yorkshire, but when he couldn’t find more work came to Southend as he knew Albanians in the area.”

Recorder Jacqueline Carey KC sentenced Murati, of Southchurch Road, Southend, to two years and eight months in prison.