A dozy dealer has been jailed after his car full of drugs and cash was stopped because he was not wearing a seatbelt.

The Mercedes driven by Peter Sowatskey caught the eye of police in Maidstone due to the lack of a visible safety strap, and soon their sense of smell was engaged by the aroma of cannabis emanating from the vehicle.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a rucksack stuffed with cocaine and marijuana. More than £1,500 in cash was also discovered.

Following his arrest, the 34-year-old Sowatskey attempted to throw cops off the scent by giving them a false address.

But officers identified his home in Martin Road, Rochester, and a search of the property uncovered more than a kilogram of cocaine and at least 10 kilograms of cannabis, along with £24,266 in cash.

Phones belonging to Sowatskey containing bulk messages advertising the latest deals provided further evidence of his supply network in the county town.

As officers sought to build a successful case following his arrest in February, the suspect was bailed to return to a police station at a later date.

"If you try to operate in our communities expect to be caught..."

However he breached his bail conditions and was arrested again three days later - this time at a guest house in Cornwall. More cannabis was seized, as well as a further £20,000 in cash.

Sowatskey later appeared at Maidstone Crown Court and pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and two counts of possessing criminal property.

DC Hannah Barker, of West Kent CID, said: "Sowatskey was caught on the back of robust and alert policing from local patrols. It soon became clear he was involved in a significant supply chain to deal drugs in Maidstone and he now finds himself as simply another dealer in prison.

"This latest sentence should act as a reminder to other criminals that we have both uniformed and plain clothed patrols committed to tackling the supply of drugs into our towns.

"The message remains the same, if you try to operate in our communities expect to be caught, expect to go to prison."

Sowatskey was sentenced to four years' imprisonment on December 21. He was also disqualified from driving for two years after admitting two further counts of drug driving.

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