Prolific drug gang behind bars

Thanks to some thorough investigation work, another drugs gang is finally off the streets as they were imprisoned last Friday (20 December) when they appeared at Guildford Crown Court.

On Friday, 23 February this year, officers stopped a silver Mercedes on Epsom Road in Guildford. The driver of the vehicle, Konstantinos Baltasis (DOB: 03.05.2001) of Pickford Street, Aldershot was searched, and 17 bags of Cocaine were found concealed in his trousers. In addition to this, £650 in cash was discovered in the vehicle.

Baltasis’ phone was seized and found to contain messages telling him where to supply the drugs. He was charged and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and remanded into Custody until sentencing.

On Monday, 8 April this year, officers stopped a white Fiat Panda on The Chase in Guildford. The driver, Robert Zeqaj (DOB: 06.04.2005) of no fixed abode was searched and 27 sealed bags of cocaine were found within the door of the vehicle. His mobile phone was also seized and was found to contain messages directing him to locations to supply class A drugs. He was charged and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and remanded into Custody until sentencing.

The investigators realised that the phones seized from the drug dealers were linked to the home address of Fatjon Nezaj (DOB: 01.07.1994) of Cowleaze Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames. Officers entered the address on Thursday, 8 August 2024 and a search of the premises was carried out resulting in the seizure of mobile phones and lists detailing customers who were being supplied class A drugs. This revealed a county lines drugs line that was operating In West Surrey. County lines is the term used to describe urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas using dedicated mobile phone lines.

Phone work revealed that Nezaj had been both receiving orders for cocaine from customers and then directing the couriers telling them where to deliver the drugs. He was charged and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (Cocaine) and was remanded in custody until sentencing.

• Konstantinos Baltasis received two years imprisonment with three months to run concurrently for money laundering. He also received six points on his driving licence for no insurance and a further three points for driving without a licence.
• Robert Zeqaj received two years imprisonment. He also received six points for driving without insurance and a further three points for driving without a licence.
• Fatjon Nezaj received three years and six months imprisonment.
• All three will be deported on release from Custody.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Daniel Voller said: “This conviction has helped to disrupt county lines within our county, protecting our local communities, and keeping people safe.

“We are committed to relentlessly pursuing criminals and officers are working hard to tackle county lines by targeting offenders, taking drugs off the streets, and safeguarding vulnerable victims.

“Your information is vital in allowing us to keep on closing down these drug lines, so if you have any information regarding drug dealing or violent crime in your area, or you are worried that someone is being exploited, we need you tell us. If you would rather not speak to police, please reach out to the anonymous and fully independent charity Crimestoppers. Together we can stop the flow of drugs into our county.”

For more information about how to spot and report drug dealing in your community, click here https://www.surrey.police.uk/.../advice.../cl/county-lines/