A cocaine dealer caught by police after he was spotted parked in a bus and taxi zone in Maidstone has been jailed.

On October 5 at around 11.30pm, officers on patrol in High Street noticed a Volkswagen Golf which had stopped in the restricted area.

As the vehicle moved, police followed as it travelled towards the junction with Fairmeadow.

The driver, Nujnul Islam, stopped in St Peter’s Street where the officers illuminated their blue lights.

After searching his car, 19 bags of cocaine were found in the centre console.

They also seized a mobile phone and two sets of scales.

He was arrested and when his home was searched, £480 in cash was also recovered.

The 29-year-old of Conifer Drive, Chatham, was later charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was sentenced on Wednesday, October 21, to two years and eight months in prison.

Investigating officer, DC Kate Humpheryes of West Kent CID said: "Nujnul Islam sought to profit from Maidstone’s night time economy.

"However, by driving through an area used predominantly by pedestrians he came to the attention of a police patrol.

"Our officers remain alert for visiting drug dealers and having been stopped it was only a matter of time before the cocaine was found and Islam arrested.

"This latest prison sentence is just another example of how we operate a zero-tolerance policy to those who target our towns and who bring misery to users, their families and the wider community."

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