First picture of Ipswich Class A trio jailed on Friday

Mariglen Markaj, 22, Altin Marku, 23, and Refik Shehi, 31, are now all serving jailtime after being sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

The trio, who participated in proceedings with the aid of an Albanian interpreter, had admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.

On July 17 this year, Marku was riding an electric bicycle through Ipswich when he was seen by police to discard a cigarette packet, which contained grip seal bags of cocaine.

On July 30, police stopped an Audi being driven by Shehi in which Marku was a passenger.

Police mugshot of Altin Marku, who was jailed for 27 months. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary) Refik Shehi was jailed for 30 months. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary) 22-year-old Mariglen Markaj was jailed for 27 months. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary) Marku was found with £580 and a mobile phone, with a bag of cocaine in his sock. Shehi had a wallet containing a “significant quantity” of cash and an iPhone.

The defendants gave an address in Chevallier Street and police commenced a search. Whilst they were there, Markaj arrived. He too was arrested.

Police uncovered 44 bags of cocaine, over £8,000 in cash, a set of scales and more grip seal bags. They also found ID documents relating to all three defendants and their fingerprints on items at the address.

In total, the Crown Prosecution Service asked for the forfeiture of £9,690, which Judge David Wilson granted.

Judge Wilson sentenced Shehi to 30 months imprisonment. Marku and Markaj were sentenced to 27 months, slightly lower in light of their relatively young age.

In light of the sentences passed, each of the defendants may face deportation on their release from prison.

Previously, defendants could expect to serve half their sentence in prison before being released on licence.

However, under the government’s new early release scheme, Judge Wilson advised the defendants they may serve 40% before being released.