An Albanian drug dealer has avoided deportation after "learning his lesson" despite being considered a "serious threat to the public".
Arlind Nabolli, 29, was caught dealing cocaine and cannabis and was sentenced to jail for over two years.
He was found in possession of 10 grams of cocaine and 30 grams of cannabis, as well as cash and details of two money transfers to a couple of people in Albania.
The judge at the time believed it was not an isolated incident because his car was seen going back and forth into Maidstone.
His crimes were not "isolated incidents", and he was "in the habit" of dealing drugs across Kent.
However, an immigration judge has ruled that Nabolli can remain in the UK because he has shown remorse and "learnt his lesson".
The Albanian national entered the UK in 2018 with his wife, but in January 2022, the Home Office issued a deportation notice to him because he had committed a "serious offence".
Just a couple of years after being granted leave to remain, Nabolli was found guilty of drug offences with intent to supply and road traffic offences, sentencing him to prison for 33 months.
Upper Tribunal Judge Karim-ullah Khan ruled in favour of the Albanian drug dealer
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When Nabolli's appeal on human rights grounds was rejected, he claimed the offending was a "one-off".
He also said that while he was in prison, he underwent rehabilitation and would not be able to continue it if he were deported to Albania.
The asylum seeker claimed that he was not dealing drugs when he was caught, but was a user and had been taking the substance to someone as a favour.
The Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber heard he did not appeal the original sentence amid fears it could be extended.
He also said his wife and children had no intention of leaving the UK if he was deported, and he "could not bear to be separated" from them.
An Upper Tribunal Judgement said: "[Nabolli] claims that his conduct does not constitute a genuine, present, and sufficiently serious threat affecting the fundamental interests of society.
"He claims that his deportation from the UK would be disproportionate as a matter of EU law, given the length of residence, the strength of connections he has with the UK and the fact that his offending behaviour was a one-off offence.
"He states that he has learnt his lesson and that he recognises the impact his offending behaviour has on his victims and has not re-offended since his release from prison in early April 2022."
The drug dealer said that while he was in prison, he underwent rehabilitation and would not be able to continue it if he were deported to Albania
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At the hearing, Upper Tribunal Judge Karim-ullah Khan ruled in his favour.
The judge said: "He lives with his wife and two young children and has obtained employment working part-time while sharing the childcare arrangements with his wife, who also works part-time.
"Significantly, there has been no continuation nor escalation in his offending. His lifestyle appears to be stable and firmly focused on his family life.
"Nabolli accepted that his prior offending was serious and that it was wrong whichever way it was viewed, clearly showing insight and maturity. He also denied that he was challenging the conviction."