A DRUG dealer found with 85 bags of cocaine hidden in his underpants has been locked up.

Joseph Bell, of The Crescent, Bridgehill, Consett, was arrested in December 2019, after an early morning stop and search on Cardoon Street.

At around 5am, officers from Consett police spotted a grey Skoda travelling at an unusually slow speed, and stopped the vehicle to make enquiries.

The officers’ suspicions were further aroused when 19-year-old Bell, the front seat passenger in the car, produced a large sum of loose cash and an overflowing wallet from his pockets.

Bell was searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, and when bags of white powder were found concealed in the crotch of his trousers, he pulled away in an attempt to escape.

He was restrained and arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

A further search was carried out in custody, revealing a total of 85 small bags of cocaine and three small bags of cannabis, estimated to be worth over £4,000 in total, hidden in his underwear.

Bell, now 21, was subsequently charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply controlled substances.

He admitted the charges in October.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court, last Thursday, he was sentenced to three years detention at a Young Offenders Institute.

T/Sgt Vikki Ord said: “We hope Mr Bell’s sentencing illustrates that we will not tolerate illegal drug activity in our communities, and we’re pleased to see a drug dealer, his drugs and the proceeds of his crime taken off the streets.

“As always, we’ll continue to act on intelligence provided to us, and I encourage anyone with information concerning the supply of drugs to get in touch with us.”