A dealer armed with a knife sold drugs to a user in an alleyway but was caught out by undercover cops.

Officers were on patrol in Railway Street, Chatham, when they saw a person speak to Andre Harris before making a withdrawal from a cash machine.

The pair then went into an alleyway where something was exchanged between them.

When Harris emerged from the secluded spot, he was stopped by police officers and detained.

A search led to the recovery of three mobile phones and £514 in cash.

He was taken to a police station and a further search found 32 wraps of heroin and 13 deals of crack cocaine in his waistband. He also surrendered a lock knife.

Harris, of Hartford Avenue, Harrow, Greater London, was charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply, possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to the February 6 offences and on Monday (July 8) the 22-year-old was sentenced to three years and two months’ imprisonment.

Det Sgt Kelly Leventis said: “Our investigators are actively patrolling areas frequented by county line dealers who are easily spotted when supplying local users.

“This was the case with Harris and he was swiftly detained following his arrival in Chatham.

“The fact that he also came to Medway with a knife makes his actions doubly reprehensible and a prison sentence was the inevitable conclusion.”