A drug dealer who tried hiding under a bed while police searched a property for drugs has been jailed for seven years.

Christopher Bellot was caught selling cocaine when police visited a property in Adelaide Gardens, Ramsgate, last New Year’s Eve following information that drugs were being dealt there.

When officers arrived they could smell cannabis and found Bellot in one of the bedrooms.

While being searched the 35-year-old acted suspiciously, including trying to hide under the bed.

Shortly after police found a small bag under the bed containing about 80 wraps of cocaine as well as further packets in Bellot’s pockets.

They also found three mobile phones, SIM cards and drug paraphernalia. On one of the phones, text messages boasting about the successful drug-dealing carried out by Bellot in 24 hours.

The dealer, of Windsor Street, Islington, was found guilty of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply at Canterbury Crown Court and was sentenced on Monday.

Investigating officer DC Pete Frampton said: “Bellot was using the property as a base to run his own drug dealing enterprise and no doubt was looking forward to some bumper criminal business opportunities for New Year’s Eve.

“Unfortunately for him, our officers’ determination and hard work to tackle any signs of drugs misuse and supply in the area meant he was arrested and would instead be spending the new year thinking about facing the courts.”