Two men have been jailed for drug supply and money laundering offences after being found with a suitcase containing a quarter of a million pounds.
Sebastjen Cepele, 30 and Aleksander Rapaj, 39, both currently of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (November 4, 2021) for sentencing.
The pair pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to supply class B drugs and money laundering.
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The court heard how on February 13, 2021, police attended to a report of a group of men acting suspiciously in the car park of The Gallery apartments in Moss Side.
Officers attended but the men had left and so a search of the apartments was started.
Officers located two of the men in a corridor of the apartment and after chasing them on foot, Cepele was detained and found to have a suitcase on him containing cash believed to be worth around £250,000.
Rapaj was also located and detained later on that evening on Playfair Street, Moss Side, and a search of his address back at The Gallery apartments resulted in officers finding various items including a large quantity of cannabis, money, jewellery and equipment linked to the preparation of drugs.
During the investigation it also came to light that Cepele and Rapaj were both living in the UK illegally.
Cepele was sentenced to a total of 30 months with Rapaj sentenced to 20 months in prison.
They will be deported to Albania on completion of their sentences.
PC Mike Williams, of GMPs Centre of Manchester division, said: "GMP are committed to reducing drug related crime in Greater Manchester and this is another good result from our ongoing work to make sure these criminals face justice.
"These men were detained due to the quick thinking of our neighbourhood officers from GMPs Centre of Manchester district, highlighting the importance of our neighbourhood teams and the vital work that they do.
"We continue to appeal for the public's assistance in helping us track down those involved in the supply of drugs, which can devastate not only drug users lives but their families and our local communities."
"Anyone who has information about the supply of drugs in their local area is asked to contact police on 101 or use our Live Chat service.
"Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
