A man who swallowed class A drugs and threw away a bag of cocaine in order to evade police has been jailed.

Shabaz Ahmed, 39, was handed a 39 month prison sentence at Burnley Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.

On December 10 2019, police in Pendle stopped Ahmed for a drug search in Larch Street in Nelson.

Upon being approached by officers, Ahmed put two suspected wraps of class A drugs into his mouth, swallowed them and refused to spit the contents out for officers.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Ahmed also threw a larger bag of cocaine, which was recovered by the police along with a number of mobile phones.

"Ahmed was arrested at the time but later released under investigation whereby telephone and forensic enquiries were conducted by the police.

"The 39-year-old, of Larch Street, Nelson was charged after consultation with the crown prosecution and last week after pleading guilty he appeared before Burnley Crown Court whereby he was convicted of possession with intent to supply cocaine and was sentenced to a total of 39 months imprisonment.

"Again this is a prime example that drug dealing will not be tolerated within our communities, we endeavour and we will continue to disrupt and convict people who are involved in this type of crime which has a real detrimental effect on our communities."

If anyone has any information about drug dealing/supply within their local area please contact the nearest neighbourhood policing team or alternatively call the independent charity crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.