A WOMAN who entered the UK illegally to escape kidnappers and her life as a sex worker agreed to use her new home in Westcliff as a base to store £150,000 worth of drugs.

Eglentina Xhixha, 25, was also found with £1,700 in cash when police smashed down her front door and searched her home in Valkyrie Road in November.

Basildon Crown Court heard yesterday Xhixka had left her home in Albania after she had been kidnapped and used as a sex worker by a gang looking to reclaim debts from her brother, who had also fled to the UK.

The court was told Xhixka had agreed to store around 20.6 kilograms of cannabis in her new home in Westcliff.

She was charged with money laundering and permitting the use of premises for an attempt to supply a controlled Class B drug.

Prosecuting, Richard Scott said: “She seemed to be living comfortably and in the police interview she denied knowledge of the cash and drugs but then changed her plea before a trial was due to start.”

Mitigating, Darren Snow, insisted Xhixka had no involvement with drug dealing and her only role was agreeing to store the cannabis.

Judge Shane Collery jailed Xhixka for 10 months. Another two-month prison sentence was also handed to her and will run concurrently.

Judge Collery said: “You allowed the flat to be used and had been living there for about four months and benefited from the rent and bills being paid.

“You lied to police and it’s so serious only immediate custody is appropriate.”

A further two other people linked to the case have already been sentenced.

Luke Newman-Farmer, 24, of Newington Avenue, Southend, was convicted of being concerned in the supply of class b drugs and possession of criminal property.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for a year.

Adhan Khan, 22, of Richmond Avenue, Shoebury was convicted with being concerned in supply of class B drugs and possession of class B drugs.

He was jailed for two years and nine months.