A drug dealer caught in the act by passing police officers has been jailed.
David Middleton, 33, was spotted leaning into a car outside his then home in South Moor, near Stanley in June 2019.
Officers Sgt Gary Smith and PC Lucy Phillips were on a routine patrol in Park Road when the driver sped off and Middleton hurried away.
But he was later stopped and arrested and the officers found a discarded bag containing white powder nearby.
Middleton claimed to know nothing about it but when officers searched his house they found 41 bags of cocaine, along with amphetamines, mobile phones, a set of scales and books showing drug deals and debts.
He was already under investigation after smaller amounts of ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis had been found stashed at locations around his home three months earlier.
The 33-year-old, now of Windsor Terrace, New Kyo, admitted ten counts relating to the possession and supply of drugs.
Sgt Smith said: “We are really pleased with the result of the court case but more importantly we’re really pleased that this is a drug dealer and a large quantity of dangerous drugs taken off our streets.
“We put a lot of work into keeping the community safe and keeping the drugs and the drug dealers out of South Moor.
"We would like to take this opportunity to remind the community that if they come forward with information about the supply of illegal drugs we will take action."
He was jailed for three years and four months at Durham Crown Court earlier this week.
Anyone with information about the supply of drugs in their area is asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
