Disqualified driver admits supplying cannabis following vehicle stop

A disqualified driver has been sentenced to 21 weeks in prison after more than 20 individual deal bags of cannabis were found in his car following a routine vehicle stop on the A14 near Kettering.

Ardit Bushataj was arrested by officers from the Kettering Neighbourhood Policing Team after he was stopped driving a grey Renault Megane at junction 7 of the eastbound carriageway on the afternoon of February 4 this year.

As officers spoke to the 32-year-old, they smelt what they believed to be cannabis coming from inside the car, and he was detained for a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A routine check on the Police National Computer also confirmed Bushataj was banned from getting behind the wheel until August 21 this year and he was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified.

During the search, £190 in cash was seized from Bushataj along with 23 individual small deal bags of cannabis which were located inside the vehicle. He was further arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

While speaking to Bushataj, they also noticed that the driver’s seat belt was still plugged in which meant he had not been wearing it when driving. Not wearing a seat belt and using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance were added to the list of offences.

He was subsequently charged and on February 5, Bushataj pleaded guilty to the three traffic offences at Northampton Magistrates’ Court where he was disqualified from driving for a further 18 months.

No plea was entered for the possession with intent to supply a Class B drug. He was remanded in custody and the case was committed to Northampton Crown Court for trial.

However, Bushataj, of Seawell Road, Corby, pleaded guilty to the offence at Northampton Crown Court on April 11, and returned to the same court on September 11, when he was sentenced to 21 weeks in prison.

The presiding judge also made a forfeiture application under Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, for the seized money to be redirected to the Northamptonshire Community Fund, which provides financial support to charities.

Kettering Neighbourhood Policing officer PC Jason Underwood, who led the investigation, said: “Ardit Bushataj has only got himself to blame as he chose to ignore the fact that he had been disqualified from driving and it was his total disregard for the law that led us to uncover his involvement in drug dealing.

“We have a duty to protect law-abiding road users from those who have been caught flouting the law, having previously been sentenced for traffic-related offences, and we will act against anyone who fails to comply with a court order.

“Although some may not see this as a tough enough sentence, I hope this deters anyone else who is thinking of dealing drugs in Northamptonshire and reinforces the message that we will catch you.”

Anyone with concerns about drug dealing or information about road safety concerns is asked to report it online at www.northants.police.uk/reportonline or call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always call 999 in the event of an emergency, such as a crime in progress or where life is at risk.