A repeat Albanian drug dealer, Ronaldo Zani, was apprehended in Bournemouth after illegally re-entering the UK for the third time, despite being deported twice previously. Zani, 26, was first expelled from the country in 2019 after being found in possession of cocaine. However, he returned months later, boasting to his customers, “I’m back to work.”
On his second return, Zani was caught with £4,250 in cash, 24 grams of cocaine, three ‘burner’ phones, drug scales, deal lists, and a fake Greek ID card. He explained that he was dealing drugs to repay a £15,000 debt to the people smuggling gang that helped him re-enter the UK. He was sentenced to three years in prison and deported again.
However, earlier this month, a police officer in Bournemouth recognized Zani driving a Mercedes. After stopping him, officers found £1,935 in cash and 24.75 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £1,500. Zani was arrested and charged with entering the UK without valid entry clearance, possessing criminal property, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, and driving without a licence or insurance.
Zani pleaded guilty to the charges through an Albanian interpreter at Poole Magistrates’ Court. The court did not reveal how he had re-entered the country this time. Prosecuting attorney Jason Spelman requested that the case be sent to crown court for sentencing, stating that the magistrates’ court lacked the power to impose an appropriate sentence.
Spelman emphasized that the starting point for possession with intent to supply was a prison sentence of three years and six months, aggravated by the immigration offences. Zani’s defense lawyer, Selina Goddard, acknowledged the severity of the case, agreeing that the court lacked the necessary sentencing powers.
The magistrates agreed that the charges were serious enough to require a higher level of punishment and remanded Zani in custody until his sentencing in March. A Home Office spokesperson stated, “Foreign nationals who commit heinous crimes should be in no doubt that we will do everything to make sure they are not free on Britain’s streets, including removal from the United Kingdom at the earliest possible opportunity.”
