A SUSPECTED heroin dealer had more than 20 early morning callers at his home two days in a row, a jury was told yesterday.

Police noted 27 people calling at the Stockton home of Michael Plaice between 9am and 11am on one day in November 1999, said Michael O'Neill, prosecuting. The visitors left soon after they arrived, he said.

Mr Plaice denies supplying heroin, possession of the drug with intent to supply and being concerned in supplying it.

The jury at Teesside Crown Court heard that, on another day, officers watching the flat in Hartington Road saw 22 people visit in two-and-a-half hours.

Mr O'Neill said that one of the visitors to the flat was stopped by the police soon afterwards, and was seen to swallow something. Another man who was stopped was found to have two £10 wraps of heroin on him.

The flat was raided and a quantity of drugs were found, along with £120 cash and tin foil, he said.

"It is quite a lot of money for somebody who was living on benefit in a small house."

Mr O'Neill said it was the prosecution's case that Mr Plaice was a heroin dealer.

In a police interview, Mr Plaice, 36, of Clifton Street, Middlesbrough, denied being a dealer. He said the drugs in the house were for his own use and the people who had called at the house had not done so to inquire about or buy drugs.

The case continues.