Drug dealer gets two years after cops ‘suspicious of his fiddling’ find drugs hidden in pants
Officers discover 57 wraps of Class A drug when they strip-search jobless dad after witnessing him fiddling with trousers
A DRUG dealer hid 57 wraps of heroin inside a Kinder egg in his underpants, a court heard.
Matthew Ellen, 32, was stopped by cops who noticed he was fiddling with his trousers.
He was strip-searched and a cop found the yellow plastic egg, which comes inside a chocolate shell, stuffed with wraps of the Class A drug.
The jobless dad of two, an addict, said he was a runner for a dealer.
Ellen, of Tonbridge, Kent, admitted intent to supply and was jailed for two years and four months at Maidstone Crown Court.
Recorder Marie-Claire Bleasedale told him: “It is always surprising me to have to sentence someone whose life is blighted by Class A drugs for supplying them to other people.
“We have to deal severely with people who supply drugs because of wasted lives.
"You know what you are doing. You can make choices despite that terrible addiction.
"I think of the parents of children who become addicted and lose their future because of the activities you engage in.”
Chief Inspector Dave Pate said: "Over the past few years we have been working relentlessly to tackle both the misuse and supply of drugs in this town.
"Our officers have extensive knowledge of known users and also the criminals who attempt to operate within our communities and this is really crucial in enabling us to identify and stop people like Ellen.
"The support we receive from residents continues to be so important, so please remember to report anything that may seem suspicious.
"Your help and information is invaluable and ensures Tunbridge Wells remains a safe place to live."