A DRUG dealer has been sent to prison after police found large quantities of heroin and crack cocaine in his home.

Paul Stephen Hurst, of Birch Drive in Bournemouth, was caught in possession of class A drugs on a number of occasions last year.

The 55-year-old was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

At around 7pm on Friday, June 8, officers on patrol spotted a group of known drug users loitering near a telephone kiosk on the overcliff before moving onto West Cliff Green towards a wooded area.

At 7.30pm Hurst was seen to drive a silver Peugeot 307 into Durley Gardens, which is a dead end and has a footpath leading to the green. One of the drug users got out of of Hurst’s car after a suspected drug deal. The user was arrested, and he told officers he had bought the drugs from Hurst.

Hurst was found and a drugs wipe came back positive for cocaine and cannabis. He was arrested for drug driving.

Officers searched him and he was found to have approximately 20 wraps of crack cocaine. He was further arrested for possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

His home was searched and a large quantity of heroin was found in a fruit bowl.

At 2.20pm on Thursday, September 13, officers on mobile patrol saw a grey Ford Mondeo being driven along Centenary Way in Boscombe, which appeared to be un-roadworthy. It was asked to stop on Cleveland Road. Hurst, who was driving the vehicle, and his front seat passenger were detained for a search after a bag of white powder was found.

Hurst’s home was again searched and officers found around 50 wraps of heroin and a large number of wraps of crack cocaine. Scales, phones and cling film wraps were also located.

He was subsequently charged.

In court, he was jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Detective Constable Kate Spyrou, of Bournemouth police, said afterwards: “Drug dealing and misuse blights communities, and we will do everything we can to target offenders such as Paul Hurst from committing these offences in Dorset.

“I hope this case sends out a very clear warning that officers are carrying out targeted patrols to tackle drug-related offences, and we will do everything in our power to catch offenders and bring them before the court.”

Anyone with concerns or information about drug dealing or misuse in their area is urged to contact is urged to contact Dorset Police via 101. Those who witness a crime in progress should dial 999 immediately.