TWO drug dealers who lived a life of luxury in Stroud as a result their roles in a £112,000 a month cocaine racket have been jailed.

Gloucester Crown Court heard on Thursday that cocaine and cash were found in a hired BMW being driven by disqualified driver Ardit Bami, aged 23, on Minchinhampton Common on December 15 last year.

Olsi Rrustaj, 28, was spotted in the same area getting in and out of another hire car which had a considerable amount of cash and drugs inside, the court heard.

Prosecutor Giles Nelson said drugs found in both vehicles had the same distinctive wrapping.

"As a consequence, the desirable three bedroom cottage Bami was renting in Whiteshill, Stroud for £2,300 a month was searched," said Mr Nelson.

"It was evident four people were living at this address, including Rrustaj, and all were dealing in drugs.

"Bami was found with £1,240 worth of cocaine and £400 in cash on him and an additional £800 hidden under the mattress of his bed while Rrustaj was found with around £200 worth of cocaine on him."

Judge Rupert Lowe interjected: "Bami was driving an expensive hire car. He wore designer looking clothes and in the car was a box for a Rolex watch, but the item itself was not recovered. He was living a luxury lifestyle."

The court was told that drug operation netted the four dealers operating out of the Whiteshill property an income estimated at around £112,000 a month.

Daniel Woodman for Bami said: "He found himself making decisions he now regrets."

Michael Fullerton for Rrustaj said his client arrived illegally in 2019 with a debt of £15,000 to traffickers.

He worked in construction to repay the debt but a car accident stopped this.

He had also borrowed £18,000 to pay his father's medical bills and felt compelled to sell drugs to pay back the debt.

Bami, of Daulstone Road, Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cash from the proceeds of crime and driving while disqualified. He was jailed for 52 months and banned from driving for 12 months from the date of release.

Rrustaj, of Ringstead Garth, Hull, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and was jailed for 36 months.