Four Brits held on drug charges in Albania after police raid hotel room

10 June 2023 , 18:10

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Police have provided one picture showing money and drugs seized from where Stephen Richards, 27, and Richard Deacon, 32, were staying

Four men have been accused of travelling 1,500 miles to sell drugs in Albania – the nation blamed for an influx of dealers on UK streets.

Stephen Richards, 27, and Richard Deacon, 32, face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

And police named a further two men arrested today as Gustav Schoeman and Reece Banks.

Officers say Richards and Deacon, from London and Birmingham, were touting cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis at the Kala dance music festival in Dhermi.

A tip-off led to a raid on a hotel room where officers found 50 batches of cocaine plus ecstasy and cannabis, two electronic scales, three mobile phones and £15,000 cash.

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Officers say the pair were touting drugs at the Kala dance music festival in Dhermi, Albania (Getty Images)

Schoeman and Banks were arrested at the same resort after police seized 37 doses of date rape drug, GHB.

The men, who both gave London addresses, are due to appear in court next week.

Patrick Hill