TWO drug dealers who were caught in Darwen, when a keen-eyed police officer recognised the car they were in, have been jailed.

Officers were dealing with an unrelated matter in Anyon Street when they spotted the Ford Focus with a headlight out at around 10.30pm on December 21, 2015.

Preston Crown Court heard the car had been seen driving away from police the previous week and officers decided to search the occupants.

The driver, Neil Lodge, 37, was found to be carrying 14 wraps of heroin with a street value of £280, 10 wraps of crack cocaine worth £100 and a £10 deal of cannabis.

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He told the officer: “Someone else must have put it there.”

His passenger Patrick Carroll, 19, was carrying £1,088.90 cash – but claimed £750 was to buy a new coat.

Both men were arrested and their mobile phones seized.

The court heard the phones rang constantly and by the time they reached the custody suite Lodge’s phone had received 40 missed calls.

Text messages recovered from a Samsung Galaxy advertised drugs for sale.

Both men pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class a drugs, and Lodge also admitted possession of cannabis.

Recorder Jeremy Lasker, sentencing, said: “You have jointly engaged in possession with intent to supply class a drugs.

“How you came to be together I have no idea, but it is clear that the two of you that night knew what you were doing and were well aware of the risks you were both taking.

“Unlucky for you two that you just happened to be stopped by police officers in Darwen and one of the officers remembered that the Ford Focus you were driving happened to have been seen in suspicious circumstances the past and so it was decided that the two of you should be searched.

“There is no issue in this case. As street dealers you are both to be sentenced for playing a significant role.

“Carroll it is said you are easily led but I am quite sure you knew what you were doing.

“Lodge, I do accept you have been a user and that is an issue in your life.

“I do bear in mind what others have said that you have made efforts while you have been inside.”

Carroll, of Pinehurst Avenue, Anfield, Liverpool, was sentenced to 30 months in a young offenders institute.

Lodge, of Richmond Road, Wigan, was jailed for four and a half years.