UNDERCOVER police officers watched three men dealing cannabis, a court was told yesterday.

Jason Hall was said to be the main player in the operation in Spennymoor, County Durham.

Durham Crown Court heard that the home of family man Ronald Eldrett - a warehouseman - was used as the safe house while teenage cannabis user Christopher Simpson was enlisted as the runner.

Aisha Wadoudi, prosecuting, said four blocks of cannabis were recovered, two from a kitchen drawer and rabbit hutch at Eldrett's house and two from Hall's car.

Miss Wadoudi said the street value of the cannabis was in the region of £3,600.

Dealer lists and cash, said to be proceeds of dealing, were also recovered by police.

Anthony Braithwaite, for Hall, said: "Since these events, almost a year ago, he couldn't have done more to demonstrate a desire to change his ways."

Martin Towers, for Eldrett, said he made no significant benefit from allowing his home to be used to store the drugs.

Shaun Dryden, for Simpson, said he merely received a small amount of cannabis to feed his habit, for his part in the deal.

Hall, 25, of Mayfields, Simpson, 17, of Stratton Street, and Eldrett, 28, of Wood View, all Spennymoor, each admitted conspiracy to supply.

Hall was locked up for two years and six months; Eldrett was jailed for 15 months; and Simpson was given a 12-month supervision order.

Judge Tony Lancaster also ordered the confiscation of Hall's Audi car used to assist in his dealing.