A drug dealer tried swallowing 20 wraps of cocaine and heroin in an attempt to avoid being charged.

Police spotted Scott Star handing items to known drug users on The Leas, Folkestone.

When officers approached, the group split up and Star began putting the wraps in his mouth.

But officers managed to restrain the 42-year-old and recover the drugs before raiding his home in Sandgate Road.

Star, who has 35 previous convictions for 72 offences, was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for 30 months.

Police discovered the drug dealer peddling his wares at around 3pm on October 14, the court heard.

“A search of his address found 100 wraps in total. They were found in various locations of the address,” prosecutor Peter Alcock explained.

Alongside the drugs, officers also discovered a cutting agent and notepad, apparently alluding to customers and debts.

Star’s mobile phone contained evidence of a series of short phone calls, some to known drug users, the prosecutor added.

But Star argued the phone, which prosecutors had not forensically examined, contained evidence he was acting under instructions and threats of violence.

Judge Catherine Brown said she was “cautious” to sentence on Star’s basis of plea but deemed it necessary given the lack of contrary evidence.

Star’s barrister argued he had fallen into £1,000 worth of debt after relapsing into addiction and so turned to dealing.

'You do not have to give in to threats and, if you do, the courts will have less sympathy for you in the future.'

“This is a man who didn’t wish to get into this position,” Aidan Harvey said.

“He got back into old ways thinking he could control his own use and the debt was accrued.”

Judge Brown told Star: “It is clear it wasn’t a one-off because of the amount and money and the drugs found in total.

“You do not have to give in to threats and, if you do, the courts will have less sympathy for you in the future."

Star, who appeared via videolink from HMP Elmley, pleaded guilty last month to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

His actions also activated a 20-week suspended sentence for burglary. The term will run concurrently with the drugs offences.