A drug dealer who pretended to be Portuguese but twice failed an on-the-spot language test has been jailed.

Artinis Hajdarmataj, 20, of Windmill Road, Croydon, was jailed for four years and six months yesterday (Thursday, August 10) at a hearing at Guildford Crown Court.

The Albanian national had previously admitted driving without a licence, possessing a fake licence, and possessing cocaine with intent to supply the Class A drug.

His sentencing is the latest case to come to court as part of Surrey Police’s Operation Viking – a crackdown on cross-border drug dealers across the county.

Officers first stopped Hajdarmataj at 2am on May 3 in Winkworth Road, Banstead. He showed officers a Portuguese driver’s licence and gave the name ‘Samuel Alves’ – but when challenged, he could not understand any Portuguese.

Hajdarmataj was arrested on suspicion of using a fake driver’s licence and released on bail after admitting his real nationality and name. He skipped his court appearance.

The 20-year-old was arrested again on July 12, in Croydon Lane, Banstead, by a probationary officer on duty with their tutor.

This time Hajdarmataj pretended to be Joao Damiano – another Portuguese national, and again he could not understand any Portuguese.

He admitted his real identity to officers who found bags of cocaine stashed inside the panel by the steering wheel and large amounts of cash.

When officers searched his home in Windmill Road, Croydon, they found more cash hidden under his mattress and in a chest of drawers.

Hajdarmataj pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and insurance, two counts of possessing an identity document with intent, and two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine.

He was jailed on Thursday, August 10 and disqualified from driving for two years.