THE hunt for a fugitive drug dealer who was part of a massive crack cocaine plot in the North-East has switched to the Caribbean.

Interpol is now involved in the search for on-the-run Kirk Wilson who is thought to have changed his name and fled to Jamaica.

Wilson, now aged 35, was tried and convicted in his absence in April 2003, and received a prison sentence of five and a half years.

He was found guilty of conspiring to supply Class A drugs in central Middlesbrough with others between March and April 2002.

A judge issued a warrant for the fugitive's arrest in 2003, but he has still not been found, Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett gave an update on the international hunt to the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox QC.

She said checks have revealed nobody using Wilson's name or date-of-birth have left the UK since the alert was issued eight years ago.

Copies of his fingerprints have been sent to the Caribbean in case anyone is arrested there and turns out to be Wilson.

"It is extremely unlikely he will be continuing to use the name and date-of-birth the police have for him," said Miss Mallett "The prosecution believe he is likely to have left this country, but using a different name and with a false passport.

"The only way he will be found now is if his fingerprints are either taken in this country or Jamaica and they are matched up."

Wilson was arrested when Yardie gangs from London were targeting the region until Cleveland Police smashed their networks.

His last known address was Nightingale Grove, in Lewisham, London.

Judge Fox called for another update in a year, after hearing how progressing the search with Jamaican authorities "might be quite slow".

He said: "I don't think the court can abdicate its responsibilities, but what about 12 months hence just to ensure the matter does not fall asleep like some have in the past."