A prisoner released on licence began dealing drugs during lockdown after he still owed a debt for using Mamba in jail.
Benjamin Mitchell was spotted going into Maypole Yard, Nottingham, which is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
His activities were spotted by a police community support officer and a special constable on May 15 - 13 days after Mitchell was released from his last custodial sentence and subject to strict licence conditions.
After leaving Maypole Yard, which is down the side of McDonalds, Mitchell joined a queue at Santander bank.
Fourteen minutes later he was back in Maypole Yard with two men - one who was a known drug user from outside the bank and the second also a known user.
"Uniformed officers were unable to attend due to dealing with another incident, said Katrina Wilson, prosecuting over a virtual link to the courtroom. "Therefore, officers watched the defendant and his movements.
"He left Maypole Yard, walking quickly in one direction, whilst other known males walked quickly in the other direction.
"Officers followed him on foot and saw him talking to another known drug user".
Mitchell climbed into a taxi alone but the officers, both in plain clothes, took down the details and passed them to uniformed colleagues.
The taxi was stopped in Woodborough Road, Nottingham, and Mitchell was searched and 53 wraps of heroin were found and 83 of crack cocaine.
Miss Wilson said the total street value of the drugs was between £1,300 and £2,600, and £188.44 in cash was found.
Aged 29, she said Mitchell has 22 convictions for 42 offences including possessing cannabis and heroin.
A proceeds of crime application has been adjourned until September 4.
Digby Johnson, mitigating, said Mitchell had been in prison where he used Mamba and built up a debt he was not able to pay and was stabbed in the face.
He spoke of Mitchell's chronic obsessive compulsive disorder and how he was told to sell drugs and "does it like clockwork in a determined attempt to get rid of his debt".
At the time Mitchell was living in one room in a shared house found for him by probation in Woodborough Road, but has since been recalled on his licence and is getting substantial help now back inside.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine. He was jailed for two years and eight months concurrent on each charge.
Judge Timothy Spencer QC asked Mitchell, who appeared on a prison link to the courtroom, if he was free "of the pressures and debt now?" and Mitchell replied: "yes".
The judge told him "I think you were vulnerable of pressures applied to you" and "it can be the only explanation for street dealing only 13 days after your release".
