A drug dealer has been jailed after a police search of his home led to the discovery of cocaine. Nottinghamshire police arrested Sam Blades in Newark after they found drug paraphernalia as well as bags of the Class A drug.

Officers found a set of scales, deal bags and a magnetic box containing three bags of cocaine at the Smith Street address. Police say boxes of this nature are commonly used by drug dealers and other criminals who attach them to the underside of their vehicles.

Police also discovered a mobile phone that was found to contain a series of messages relating to the illegal sale of drugs. The 33-year-old initially told police that all the drugs found in his presence were for personal use only, but later pleaded guilty to supplying a Class A drug, possessing with intent to supply a Class A drug and possessing cannabis.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (July 2), Blades, of Mumby Close, Newark on Trent, was jailed for three years and was forced to forfeit nearly £1,500 in cash. Sergeant Mike Taylor, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "The trade in illegal drugs is often closely linked to other serious criminal offences and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“That’s why we take this issue so seriously and also why we targeted Blades in this way. Despite his initial denials he was obviously involved in dealing drugs and I am pleased he has now been sentenced.”