Police found more than £36,000 worth of cocaine hidden in a city property behind an air vent being looked after by two illegal immigrants, a court has heard. 

A search was carried out at an address in Constitution Hill, Norwich, where a total of £36,500 of cocaine was found by officers "concealed in a void behind an air vent" as well as £9,183 in cash.

Constitution Hill, NorwichConstitution Hill, Norwich (Image: Google Maps) Norwich Crown Court heard the drugs were found after Besmir Doci, 39, was stopped by police in Denmark Road, Norwich, and found to have £115 in cash on him.

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Martin Ivory, prosecuting, said five snap bags containing white powder, found to be cocaine, were found in his jacket prompting a search of the address where he had been staying in Constitution Hill.

Mr Ivory said as the search was being carried out, on June 5 this year, the co-defendant Armir Cenaj, 24, returned to the property and let himself in after having been shopping for groceries.

He was found to have a quantity of cocaine on him as well as £365 in cash.

Police officers then located the cocaine which was "concealed" in a void as well as more than £9,000 in a shoe box.

Doci, of no fixed abode, appeared at court on Wednesday after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property, namely cash.

Besmir Doci and Armir CenajBesmir Doci and Armir Cenaj (Image: Norfolk Constabulary) Cenaj, of no fixed abode, also appeared for sentence after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property.

Jailing the pair - both Albanian nationals - for two years each, Judge Anthony Bate said they were involved in the "clandestine" supply of class A drugs.

He said it had been "a concealment of some size consistent with a degree of trust" being placed in them to carry out the drug dealing. 

Rob Pollington, mitigating for Doci, said his client was "extremely sorry" but having come to this country on the promise of getting employment found himself in debt, was "homeless, had no support and was desperate".

Matthew Edwards, mitigating for Cenaj, said like many others, he had been "sold something of a false opportunity to come to the UK".

He said he performed a "limited role under direction".