Drug dealer jailed after secreting wrap in underwear

A drug trafficker caught trying to hide a wrap of drugs in his underwear has now been locked up. 

An officer from Nottinghamshire Police’s road crime team was out on patrol in West Bridgford when he spotted a car which intelligence suggested was linked to 32-year-old Luke Hewitt - who was wanted on recall to prison. 

Hewitt was arrested and taken into custody where he was searched.

A lock knife was found in his waistband and eight small deal bags of white powder - which turned out to be cocaine - were located behind the weapon. 

A 12 grams wrap of a synthetic cannabinoid which he had secreted in his underwear fell to the floor during searches. 

Hewitt was also found in possession of two mobile phones which were seized and analysed.

The devices were found to contain messages indicative of supplying controlled drugs, including a dealer list of names. 

He was subsequently charged following the stop, on the night of 6 November 2021, and he went on to plead guilty to supplying a Class A drug, namely cocaine, between 19 September 2021 and 6 November 2021. 

Hewitt, formerly of Thurstone Furlong, Derby, also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of a Class B drug and possession of a knife in a public place, with these offences being committed on 6 November 2021. 

He was jailed for four years when he appeared for sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (5 September).

Detective Sergeant Rob Palethorpe, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Drug dealing is a serious blight that causes misery for our communities and devastates the lives of vulnerable people, so I’m pleased we were able to disrupt Hewitt’s criminal activity.

“As a result of our road crime team officer being out on proactive mobile patrols, he was able to firstly identify a vehicle intelligence suggested was linked to a wanted man, before then moving in covertly to observe the suspect and firm up these suspicions.

“As a direct result of this work, we were ultimately able to remove a drug trafficker from our streets and take drugs and a knife out of circulation before they could cause any harm.”