A drug dealer has been jailed for six years after running a drugs line in Chester.

Meltjan Isufi, of Wilkinson Street North, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday 20 October.

The 34-year-old had pleaded guilty to possession of a false identification document, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, acquiring criminal property and knowingly entering the UK in breach of a deportation order.

On 23 December 2024, police arrested a man in Chester and conducted a search of his address. They recovered a large quantity of cocaine, cash and other items linking him to the supply of drugs.

Isufi's DNA was found on one of the packages of drugs found in the home.

On 25 December 2024, police were alerted to suspicious activity on Milton Street, Chester, by local authority CCTV operators.

Footage captured what was suspected to be a drug exchange. Officers stopped the vehicle close to Grosvenor Bridge as it attempted to leave the city centre.

Three bags of cocaine were found in the car and a man in the vehicle admitted he had just purchased the drugs from someone in Chester.

Enquiries led to the discovery of a text message advertising the drugs for sale.

The mobile number was attributed to Isufi, who used the name 'Anton' to control the drugs line.

On 19 September 2025, police executed a warrant at Isufi's home address and he was arrested. Police located the mobile phone, which showed Isufi had a customer base of over 800 people.

The drugs line was well-established and supplied cocaine on a daily basis in Chester and the surrounding areas.

Police also seized cash to the value of £17,585 and a quantity of cocaine.

A fake Greek identity card was also located in the address which had allowed Isufi to enter the country illegally.

Isufi, who is an Albanian national, was therefore in breach of a deportation order placed upon him on conviction for a previous drug supply offence in 2019.

Following Isufi's arrest, he was charged with the latest offences. 

Detective Constable Richard Connolley said: "Isufi had already been convicted of drugs offences and deported from the UK.

"However, he chose to re-enter the UK illegally using a false identity document to facilitate the supply of illegal drugs in Chester.

"His operation was sophisticated, and he supplied drugs on a daily basis, but Isufi underestimated the tenacity and dedication of our officers.

"Thanks to their investigation, a significant drugs line was brought to a stop, and Isufi is now behind bars for a considerable amount of time.

"The message is clear – if you come to Cheshire to commit crime, you will be caught, and you will be held accountable for your actions."