A CORRUPT police officer sold highly sensitive information to a drug dealer in return for cash and gifts, a court heard.

Phil Berry, who was once a key member of Bolton’s drug squad, sold a book packed with information about Bolton’s drug dealers and informants to Gary Knox, who had previously been convicted of drug dealing, Minshull Street Crown Court heard yesterday.

The “banner book”, described as an A to Z directory, contained real names, nicknames and the areas of operation of drug dealers and suspected drug dealers in Bolton.

The court heard Knox, who Berry knew through his work in the drugs squad, was one of the main dealers in the local area.

In return for information about rival dealers, Knox gave Berry cash, a £20,000 BMW and football match tickets, the court heard.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, said: “Knox stood to gain substantially from the information in the banner book.

“He would be well informed about rival dealers and could easily compromise them to gain a larger share of the market for himself.”

The book was allegedly found in Knox’s car on July 23, 2008. The court also heard that Berry and Knox exchanged more than 220 phone contacts, mainly text messages, in a six-day period in July, 2008.

Mr Fryman said Berry, aged 42, had been a well-respected police officer until he became “too close” to Knox.

He said: “He became a key player in the Bolton drugs unit, well respected and trusted by his colleagues. He had a good side to him. He was a very good officer.”

The court heard Berry suffered from a series of personal problems. He was arrested for drink-driving in October, 2006, but not charged, and he was warned at work for misuse of the internet in October, 2007.

He was also upset at being taken off the drugs squad, which he said would cost him a substantial amount of money in overtime.

Berry was suspended on July 4, 2008, because of his involvement in a car loan fraud, the court heard. He resigned and left the force on August 15, 2008.

Berry has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, while Knox denies the same charge.

Knox also denies conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B drugs and perverting the course of justice.

Six other defendants deny conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

They are Philip Meiring, aged 33, of Dickenson Street, Bolton; Gail Hadfield, aged 27, of Stanley Road, Heaton; Francis Hunt, aged 41, of Spindlewood Road, Ince; Joanne Greaves, aged 37, of Whittle Grove, Bolton; Anthony Grainger, aged 33, of Chipping Road, Bury, and Jamie Sewart, aged 31, of Tiverton Walk, Bolton.

The case continues.