A drug dealer from London has been jailed after he hid cocaine in a lay-by bin in Ely.

Ditjon Hoxha, 29, was parked up in the lay-by on the A142 near Barway when he caught the eye of Cambridgeshire Police officers on patrol in Ely.

Hoxha was in a black Vauxhall Mokka which police recognised as one that had previously failed to stop in the area.

The officers searched Hoxha, from Mount Ephraim Road, London, and the hire vehicle, but they didn't find anything untoward.

They then decided to search the nearby bin after recalling Hoxha putting items inside it as they arrived. Inside they found 35 bags of cocaine with a street value of £1,400.

In custody they also discovered that Hoxha had initially given them a false name and had no driving licence or insurance.

At Cambridge Crown Court yesterday (August 7), Hoxha was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine. He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and must take an extended re-test.

Detective Constable Anderson-Chapman, who investigated, said: “We continue to seek out those who come into our county to deal drugs. Drug dealing is often a gateway to a cascade of other crimes including violence which is not welcome among our communities.”