A DRUG dealer has been jailed after he was caught with almost 100 wraps of class A drugs in his underpants near Ellesmere Port.

Curtis Doyle was sentenced to three years in prison at Chester Crown Court on Friday (August 23).

The 26-year-old, of Deysbrook Lane, Liverpool, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin.

The court heard that Doyle’s offending came to light when a black Jeep Cherokee being driven by him was stopped by officers on the M53 in Ellesmere Port on Friday, August 10.

During an initial search of the vehicle offices discovered a quantity of cannabis and a subsequent roadside drugs test revealed that Doyle was over the drug drive limit.

He was arrested and taken into custody, where officers discovered that he had concealed a large package of drugs in his underpants.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that the package contained 92 wraps of cocaine and heroin and had a total street value of almost £1,000.

The wraps were packaged into batches of 9, 10 or 11 wraps, ready to be sold onto other dealers and drug users.

Two mobile phones were also seized during Doyle’s arrest.

Forensic analysis of the phones showed him to be involved in the supply of class A drugs in the Ellesmere Port area.

Police Constable Chris Swash, of Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit (LPU), said: “Throughout this investigation it has been clear that Doyle was acting as a county lines drug dealer.

“He was involved in the transportation of illegal drugs from Merseyside into Cheshire to sell onto other dealers and addicts in the Ellesmere Port area.

“Thankfully we were able to catch him in the act and seized a large quantity of class A drugs which were destined for the streets of Ellesmere Port.

“Removing those involved in class A drug dealing from our communities is of paramount importance as they have a hugely detrimental impact, causing widespread misery.

“I hope that the sentence handed to Doyle reaffirms the message that drug dealing in Ellesmere Port and the wider Cheshire area will not be tolerated.

“I also hope that it deters others from getting involved in the supply of illegal drugs.”

* Residents are urged to report drug dealing by calling Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be provided by emailing

https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries

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To understand how to spot the signs of vulnerability and to find out how to protect your community from serious and organised crime please visit the Serious and Organised crime section of the Cheshire Constabulary website.