Jailed Albanian Heroin Dealer Allowed to Remain in UK Despite Deportation Efforts

Olsi Beheluli, an Albanian drug dealer sentenced to 11 years for his senior role in a heroin trafficking ring involving eight kilograms of high-purity heroin, has been allowed to remain in the UK despite efforts by the Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA) to deport him. Authorities argue that Beheluli fraudulently obtained British citizenship by denying involvement in criminal activity on his naturalisation application, even though he was arrested just eight months later with drugs worth approximately £200,000 and was found in possession of a photo showing him with £250,000 in cash. Both the Home Office and NCA contend that only someone with a significant criminal history would be trusted with such a large consignment, implying his seniority in the gang. However, lower-tier tribunal judges have dismissed the deportation claims due to lack of direct evidence such as witness testimony or surveillance, leading to upheld appeals against deportation. An upper tribunal judge acknowledged the common-sense arguments of the Home Secretary but ruled the absence of incontrovertible evidence prevents deportation. This case highlights ongoing challenges in deporting foreign criminals from the UK, with similar rulings allowing other convicted migrants to remain.