A MAN who was caught bringing class A drugs into the region has been jailed for three years.

John Collard was found to be carrying a quantity of cocaine when he was pulled over by officers in Chester-le-Street in January last year.

Officers then carried out a search of his home in Blaydon, Gateshead, where they recovered a significant amount of heroin.

The 53-year-old was subsequently charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, which he admitted.

He appeared at Durham Crown Court last month where he was jailed for three years.

Investigating Officer Graeme Whitfield, from Durham Constabulary’s West CID team, said: “Collard clearly believed that he could act with impunity in supplying class A drugs in the Durham Constabulary area.

“This sentence serves as a reminder to anyone making what they consider to be fast money that we will not accept offending of this nature, and we will continue to target drug dealing within the community and put these criminals before the courts.”

Anyone with information on drug dealing in their community should contact Durham Constabulary on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.