An Albanian woman has appeared in court accused of involvement in an alleged people smuggling conspiracy.

Ujeza Kurmekaj, 32, was not asked to enter her pleas when she appeared in the dock at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (October 13).

Her barrister, Oliver Snodin, said no Albanian interpreter was available. Judge Nigel Daly said: “If she can’t understand properly what is going on, she certainly can’t be arraigned.”

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At the magistrates’ court in September, she faced allegations of conspiring with others to bring people into the UK by boat in breach of immigration law between June and October 2022, possession with intent to supply 10g of cocaine, and possession of dirty cash.

The cocaine and cash were said to have been in Kurmekaj’s possession on October 19 last year.

Kurmekaj, of Vineyard Close, Banbury, spoke only to confirm her name when she appeared in front of Judge Daly on Friday.

Judge Daly provisionally fixed the trial to start on February 28. The case is expected to last three days.

The defendant was remanded in custody to return to court on November 3 for an adjourned plea and trial preparation hearing.