A Bristol man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to money laundering, possession with intent to supply a class B drug and possession of three fraudulent identity cards.
Roland Shkrepa, aged 34, of Campion Close, Thornbury, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on 25 April.
On 12 January 2017, he was stopped by officers in an alleyway to the rear of Graham Street in Swindon where he was seen to be acting suspiciously.
Officers discovered he was carrying a vegetable box containing approximately £15,000. He also had approximately £1,000 in his pockets and two mobile phones. He was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.
A further search was carried out at his home address where 1 kilogram of cannabis was found, as well as three fraudulent ID cards and he was further arrested on suspicion of class B drug supply and possession of three fraudulent ID cards.
He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment for money laundering, two years for possession with intent to supply class B drugs and six months for each of the three fraudulent ID cards. All the sentences were suspended for two years.
Detective Constable Nick Bishop said: “When officers stopped Shkrepa he was found with thousands of pounds on him – this was seized, along with the drugs found at his property and the fraudulent ID cards. I hope this suspended sentence acts as a deterrent, preventing him from any future involvement in crime. If he is found to commit an offence over the next two years, the suspended sentence will be activated and he will be sent to prison immediately.”
As well as the suspended sentence, Shkrepa must also carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
If you suspect drug activity in your area, please report it to police on 101. Your call with be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
