A 21-year-old drug dealer, Murat Metaj, who was living illegally in the UK, was found in possession of 16 bags of cocaine hidden in a Pringles tin. Metaj was apprehended by police in Cardiff and later claimed he intended to give the drugs to “friends.”

The incident occurred on May 18, around 7:15 PM, when Metaj was observed driving through Cardiff and appeared to be looking at his lap. When signalled by a police car to pull over, Metaj initially attempted to drive away but eventually stopped in the Heath area of the city.

During the sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court, it was noted that Metaj’s English was limited. He informed the officers that he did not have a driving license, leading to the seizure of his car keys. While officers checked his immigration status, Metaj appeared to be looking at his phone and removing notifications. Despite being told to stop, he continued and was subsequently detained and searched.

In Metaj’s car, officers discovered a Pringles tube containing 16 grip-seal bags of white powder, later identified as 10.5 grams of cocaine with 78% purity. Additionally, Metaj was found with £350 in cash. It was revealed that he had been living in the UK illegally for three years. When questioned about the cocaine, he claimed he was “going to give it to friends.”

Judge Daniel Williams stated that Metaj played a “significant role” in distributing cocaine directly to users. He sentenced Metaj to two years and seven months in prison. The Home Office will later decide whether he will be deported.