A drug dealer who armed himself with an 18-inch machete has been jailed.

Qadier Ghulam, 21, of no fixed address, was already suspected of being involved in the supply of cocaine and heroin in Kent when his car was stopped by police on the morning of December 7.

He had been travelling on the London-bound carriageway of the M20 between the junctions for Aylesford and West Malling when officers signalled for him to pull over onto the hard shoulder shortly after 9.10am.

After discovering the machete on the driver’s side of the vehicle, which Ghulam told officers was for protection, he was searched and £285 cash was found.

A package wrapped in cling film also fell from his left trouser leg, which was later found to contain 50 smaller packets of heroin and 38 of cocaine.

Ghulam was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and possession of a bladed object in a public place.

A forfeiture order was also imposed by the judge on the knife, cash and drugs.

The arrest was made during a week-long operation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate aimed at disrupting drug supply networks originating from London.

Senior investigating officer detective inspector Gary Scarfe said: "Kent Police is committed to tackling the supply of illegal substances, which can pose a significant risk to our communities and bring misery to people’s lives.

"Those involved in the supply of class A drugs are ruthless and stop at nothing in order to ply their harmful trade, even committing other serious offences against vulnerable drug-dependent individuals, rival dealers or innocent members of the public with the use of knives and other weapons.

"Qadier Ghulam originally told officers the drugs he was caught with were for personal use, which begs the question as to why he would need an 18-inch machete for protection.

"We will continue to deal effectively with identified drug supply networks that present a serious threat of risk and harm to our communities."