A dealer who tried to sell drugs to an undercover police officer in Colchester has been jailed for five years.

James Mamali 29, was also found to have 46 wraps of crack cocaine hidden in his bottom when he was arrested by officers from Essex Police’s north Operation Raptor team.

Ipswich Crown Court heard how officers from the Operation Raptor team were patrolling in George Williams Way, Colchester on February 2 this year.

They spotted Mamali acting suspiciously and moments later he approached one of the Raptor officers and asked if he wanted to buy heroin or crack cocaine.

The officer produced his handcuffs to arrest Mamali who ran off before being tackled and detained.

He was taken to Colchester police station where he was searched and found in possession of £800 in cash. He was also found to be concealing 46 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine in his bottom.

Mamali initially refused to pass the drugs, but eventually did after spending four days in custody.

Mamali of Sutton Road, Canning Town, in east London, was charged with two counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and assaulting a police officer.

He was found guilty at Ipswich Crown Court and jailed for five years on Thursday, June 14.

Ds Andy Stott, of the North Operation Raptor team, said: “Drug dealers may be under the illusion that they can come to Essex and sell drugs, but, as this case shows, we are always right behind them.

“In this instance Mamali had no idea that the ‘punter’ he was trying to sell Class A drugs to was a Raptor officer.

“However his bad luck meant we were able to take him off the streets and lock him up for a significant amount of time as well as stopping Class A drugs from being sold in our community.

“If you think you can come to Essex to sell drugs, think again, Operation Raptor will be waiting for you.”

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the north, south and west of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

Any information about drug or gang-related crime can be reported to Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.