Video shows arrest of dealer who hid drugs in fake beer can

Patrick Smith, 34, was initially stopped by the Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) on December 3 after he was seen engaging with known drug users in Cubitt Way, Woodston, Peterborough.

However, after being told he was detained for a search, Smith drove away at speed, mounting the kerb and narrowly missing the officers and bollards.

The team found the car parked up in Earl Spencer Court and Smith was nearby trying to walk away.

He was arrested and a large ball of class A drugs was found hidden in a fake beer can which was discarded in a fence line that Smith was seen to be loitering near.

Smith, of Sycamore Road, Whittlesey, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday February 16, where he was jailed for three years and two months and handed a 43-month driving ban.

He had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, possession of criminal property – namely £290 in cash – and obstructing an officer in exercise of a section 23 search.

The court also ordered for the £290 in cash to be paid to Cambridge Recovery Service.

PC Charlie Adams, the arresting officer, said: “My team and I were on patrol in the area in relation to concerns about drug dealing when we saw Smith, and despite his best efforts to evade us, we were able to swiftly arrest him and remove drugs from the street.

"Drug dealing and associated criminality can have a big impact on the community, and I encourage anyone with information to report it."

Anyone with information or concerns about drug dealing can report it via the force’s dedicated drugs webpage.