Dealer jailed after texting police officer with an advert for drugs

A drug dealer has been jailed for three years after he accidentally texted a serving police officer an advert selling crack cocaine and heroin. 

Phillip Paul, 25 from Lewisham in southeast London, was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and for the possession of cannabis. 

Paul had been involved in a sophisticated county line drug operation which stretched across most of Surrey.

Surrey Police were aware of the drug lines operation in March this year after examining messages from a buyer.

However, the force were able to track down Paul after he misdialed the wrong phone digit and texted a mobile number which happened to belong to a serving Surrey police officer.

The officer - who received a messages advertising the sale of drugs including crack cocaine and heroin -  reported his bizarre text message to his colleagues. 

Following an investigation the police were able to identify Paul as the 'line holder' in the area. 

When Paul was arrested at his home, officers uncovered £337 in cash, a wrap of crack cocaine, three wraps of heroin and a bag containing two grams of cannabis. 

A number of messages from users requesting to buy drugs were also found on Paul's phone. 

At court, Paul pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and possession of cannabis.

Investigating officer, PC Joseph Brown, said; 'Drug dealing can have a hugely disruptive effect on the local community and dealers make their ill-gotten money off the misery of others. 

'If you come into Surrey to deal drugs, we will pursue you and bring you to justice.'