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Albanian man jailed for returning to UK after deportation

News

An Albanian national has been sentenced to six months in prison after breaching a deportation order and possessing false identity documents. Edison Dautaj must also serve the remainder of a previous sentence for cocaine supply.

Suffolk Police's Sentinel South team arrested Dautaj on 30 June while driving in Ipswich.

He had previously been deported in May 2023 after serving part of a two-year sentence for supplying cocaine and holding fake ID.

Edison Dautaj
Edison Dautaj was arrested on 30 June while driving in IpswichSuffolk Police

What happened:

  • Dautaj presented officers with a false driving licence and address

  • Police discovered his true identity and previous convictions

  • He pleaded guilty to possessing a counterfeit identity document with intent and driving offences

The consequences:

  • Six months imprisonment

  • Nine-month driving ban

  • Recalled to prison to complete his earlier sentence for cocaine supply

What they're saying: Sentinel Sgt David Logan said: "This is the second time Suffolk Police have located Dautaj breaking the law in Suffolk. After serving part of his initial 28-month sentence, he was given a deportation order, which he has flagrantly ignored by returning to the UK illegally."

Logan added: "When stopping him for the second time we found he was once again using a fraudulent Bulgarian ID document, which we were able to evidence through working with the National Document Fraud Unit."

"I am pleased that Dautaj's attempts to fool the authorities has not worked and he has been recalled to serve the remainder of his sentence," Logan concluded.

Former Ipswich Town striker charged in £600k cannabis smuggling case

News

Former Ipswich Town striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through a UK airport.

The big picture: The 33-year-old, who spent two seasons at Portman Road from 2011 to 2013, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in Scotland following the seizure of approximately 60kg of the drug at Stansted airport.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas playing for Ipswich Town
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas playing for TownAlamy

Key details:

  • Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 33, was arrested Wednesday in Gourock, Inverclyde.

  • He's accused of attempting to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted airport.

  • Border Force officers found approximately 60kg of the drug in two suitcases from Bangkok.

  • Emmanuel-Thomas is set to appear at Carlisle magistrates court Thursday, charged with importing class B drugs.

60kg of cannabis
60kg of cannabis was seizedNCA

JET's Ipswich career: The journeyman joined Ipswich in 2011 for £1.1m from Arsenal, scoring nine goals in 75 appearances for the Tractor Boys. He left Ipswich in 2013 in a swap deal with Bristol City. He most recently played with Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship.

The bottom line: The NCA warns that cannabis smuggling into the UK carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence, contradicting misinformation some couriers receive about facing only fines.

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