A DRUG dealer who peddled the misery of heroin and cocaine and put lives at risk by driving erratically as police tried to stop him has been jailed for five years.

North Yorkshire police arrested 22 year-old Mohammad Khizer three times in the space of 11 days in January.

At one point he was seen in an Audi acting suspiciously in the Starbeck area of Harrogate. When police attempted to speak to him, Khizer drove off at speed through surrounding areas before being brought to a stop on Skipton road where 20 wraps of drugs were found.

PC Tom Bacon said: “Not only did Khizer pedal the misery of cocaine and heroin in Harrogate, he also put numerous lives at risk by driving erratically in an attempt to escape the police.

“County lines drug dealing remains a key priority for North Yorkshire Police, we hope this latest sentence sends a clear warning of the consequences of getting drawn into what is a violent and dangerous world.”

Khizer, from Bradford, was sentenced to 62 months in prison, banned from driving for 67 months and ordered to take an extended test after admitting possession with intent to supply drugs and dangerous driving at York Crown Court.

Police appealed to members of the public to report any suspicions that drug dealing is taking place in their neighbourhoods but warned people not to approach suspects.