TWO men have been jailed for six and four years respectively for their part in a cocaine and heroin conspiracy.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Ubium Dibra was the bigger player in the conspiracy, involving cocaine with a street value of £25,000 and heroin worth £10,450, while Elton Hadaj, who received the lesser sentence, was described as his "willing assistant".

Both men were former Kosovan refugees who had fled to the UK but were drawn into what the judge, Recorder James Hyland, described as the "pernicious trade" of supplying drugs.

Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, said police stopped an Astra car driven by Dibra on the A19 on April 7 and found a 137g of crack cocaine hidden in his trousers.

He was arrested and police raided his address, Fromer House, Middlesbrough, before inquiries led to a house in Wellesley Road, occupied by Hadaj, where various quantities of crack cocaine and heroin were found.

Dibra, 21, said he had been in contact with someone called Mo, from whom who he bought the crack cocaine.

He was then threatened and forced to make trips to London to collect drugs.

Both men admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, while Dibra admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Paul Newcome, for Dibra, said he had begun a crack cocaine habit and had fallen in with the wrong crowd.

Nigel Soppitt, for Hadaj, of Crescent Road, Middlesbrough, said: "His remorse is plain."

All the drugs and money recovered were ordered by the court to be forfeited.