A DEALER caught with £1,000 of heroin hidden between his buttocks has been jailed for five years.

Police said Gary Taylor, 38, of Thorn Bank, Bacup, was spotted “acting suspiciously” in the town centre.

He was arrested and when searched it was discovered that he had 12 wraps of heroin which were concealed.

Taylor, who has almost 70 previous convictions, was on licence from prison at the time of the offence, having only been released from a three-and-a-half year sent-ence for heroin dealing months earlier.

DC Tim Maddox said: “It is a good sentence and reflects the serious nature of the incident.

“He had only just been released from prison for a very similar offence and hopefully this sentence will send out a message that the police and the courts will not tolerate drug dealing.”

DC Maddox said officers were on patrol in Burnley Road, Bacup, in June when they spotted Taylor on the pavement.

He said that officers spoke to him and as a result he was arrested and searched.

At Burnley Crown Court Taylor admitted possesion of a Class A drug with intent to supply.

The court heard that in October 2006 Taylor was jailed for possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing heroin, diazepam, cocaine and crack cocaine.

In that incident he was found with £3,200 of heroin following two raids by police.

Burnley Crown Court heard Taylor was said to have used heroin and crack cocaine daily and supplied to a small circle of known users to raise cash to feed his own habit.

He was released in December last year and was put on a two year licence which included a home curfew element because his arrest on June 10.