A DRUG dealer caught with heroin worth up to £5,500 has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Police found 55.4g of the drug in Kamil Haque’s car when he was stopped and searched on March 27.

The 23-year-old, of Drover’s Way, off Bilford Road, Worcester, was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to possessing diamorphine and two charges of possessing criminal property, namely just over £1,300 cash, at Worcester Magistrates Court .

A spokeswoman from West Mercia Police welcomed the sentence.

She said: “Drugs cause widespread harm and misery not only to users and their families, but also within the wider community through the criminality associated with the supply of drugs and their use.

“Tackling drugs is a priority issue for West Mercia Police and disrupting the supply of drugs by targeting dealers – like Kamil Haque – is central to our approach.

“We are satisfied with the sentence handed down to Haque and hope it serves as a warning to others involved in drug dealing that they should expect to be targeted by our officers and when caught, will receive robust prison sentences.”

As previously reported in the Worcester News , officers described the drugs found in Haque’s possession as a “significant quantity” and estimated them to have a street value of between £2,770 and £5,540.

An examination of Haque’s mobile phone was also undertaken, which uncovered a number of messages from between March 10 and March 27 making reference to China White – a type of heroin – trading weights of drugs and other substances, including ecstasy.

There were also messages complaining about the quality of drugs and prices charged.