Meltjan Isufi, of Wilkinson Street North, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday, October 20.
The 34-year-old had pleaded guilty to possession of a false identification document, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, acquiring criminal property and knowingly entering the UK in breach of a deportation order.
On December 23, 2024, police arrested a man in Chester and following a search of his address, they recovered a large quantity of cocaine, cash and other items linking him to the supply of drugs.
This man does not form part of this case, but Isufi's DNA was found on one of the packages of drugs.
On December 25, police were alerted to suspicious activity on Milton Street, Chester, by local authority CCTV operators.
Footage captured what is suspected to be a drug exchange and officers stop the vehicle close to the Grosvenor Bridge as it attempts to leave the city centre.
Three bags of cocaine were found in the car and a man in the vehicle admitted he had just purchased the drugs from someone in Chester.
Enquiries led to the discovery of a text message advertising the drugs for sale.
The mobile number was attributed to Isufi, who used the name 'Anton' to control the drugs line.
Following an investigation, on September 19, 2025, police executed a warrant at Isufi's home address and he was arrested.
Police located the mobile phone, which showed Isufi had a customer base of over 800 people.
The drugs line was well-established and supplied cocaine on a daily basis in Chester and surrounding areas.
Police seized cash to the value of £17,585 and a quantity of cocaine.
A fake Greek identity card was also located in the address, which had allowed Isufi to enter the country illegally.
Isufi, who is an Albanian national, was therefore in breach of a deportation order placed upon him on conviction for a previous drug supply offence in 2019.
Following Isufi's arrest, he was charged with the latest offences.
Detective Constable Richard Connolley said: "Isufi had already been convicted of drugs offences and deported from the UK.
"However, he chose to re-enter the UK illegally using a false identity document to facilitate the supply of illegal drugs in Chester.
"His operation was sophisticated, and he supplied drugs on a daily basis, but Isufi underestimated the tenacity and dedication of our officers.
"Thanks to their investigation, a significant drugs line was brought to a stop, and Isufi is now behind bars for a considerable amount of time.
"The message is clear - if you come to Cheshire to commit crime, you will be caught, and you will be held accountable for your actions."