A drug dealer who tried to flee police with 18 wraps of class A drugs hidden is his mouth has been jailed for three years. 

Basildon Crown Court heard how officers from the South Operation Raptor team were patrolling on August 21 when they spotted 35-year-old Terry Poole acting suspiciously.

Poole of Rectory Road, Pitsea was seen leaning through the window of a car and putting his hand to his mouth.

As officers approached he tried to escape but was detained and searched.

Poole was found to have 17 wraps of the Class A drug heroin and a wrap of Crack Cocaine all hidden in his mouth.

The drugs had a total street value of nearly £400 and Poole was also found with a further £698 in cash.

At the time of this arrest, Poole had been released on licence from prison following a conviction in 2017 for possession with intent to supply drugs.

He was jailed for 26-months at the time.

He was arrested, charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

Poole was jailed for three years and the court also ordered the forfeiture of the cash.

Following the sentencing investigating officer PC Mark Fulbrook of the South Operation Raptor team said: “Unfortunately it seems Poole did not learn his lesson after being caught by Op Raptor two years ago and locked up then.

“He now has an even longer sentence to spend behind bars where hopefully he uses the time to contemplate a different career path, preferably on the right side of the law.

“Operation Raptor will continue to seek out those who think they can deal drugs on the streets of our county. We know who they are and we know how to find them.”

Poole was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday.

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related violence.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.