A Birmingham woman has been sentenced to prison after police discovered dozens of cocaine deals concealed inside a sock during a vehicle stop in Tamworth. Cristina Stanciu, 25, from the Southside area of Birmingham city centre, was arrested alongside Ledgon Basha, 23, of Essex, following the operation on January 30 at approximately 11:45 am in the Kettlebrook area.
Discovery of the drugs
Staffordshire Police officers searched a grey Jaguar and found a total of 39 individual deals of cocaine, estimated to be worth around £2,000, hidden in the centre console of the vehicle inside a sock. In addition to the drugs, officers seized mobile phones and a quantity of cash.
Court proceedings
Both defendants appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday, May 15, where they each pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Basha, who was also convicted of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance, received a fine in addition to a prison sentence of two years and three months. Stanciu was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars.
Superintendent Victoria Downing of Staffordshire Police commented on the case: “Basha and Stanciu were brazen in their operation to supply drugs in Tamworth in the middle of the day in January. I am pleased we were able to seize the drugs and hope the pair’s sentences show how determined we are to disrupt the supply of illegal substances in Staffordshire.”
The successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to tackle drug-related crime in the region.
