A DRUG dealer who was caught with large quatities of cocaine in the street on two separate occasions is behind bars for six years.

Sohail Ahmed, 31, of Fountain Street, Nelson, was handed the sentence at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday.

A senior detective said his arrest and prosecution followed a ‘complex and thorough’ investigation by a special team of officers.

He hailed the sentence, saying it will send out a message to anyone thinking abouut selling drugs in the area.

Officers searched Ahmed in Nelson on December 2008, finding 18 grams of cocaine, with a street value of around £700, in his car.

Following his arrest, members of Pennine Division’s Targeted Crime Team monitored Ahmed’s activity for around two months.

He was caught again by officers when he was about to complete a drug deal in Padiham on February 7 this year.

Ahmed ran off when he saw the officers and dropped 17 grams of cocaine on the floor along with his mobile phone, but was later caught.

He was charged after the contents of his mobile phone confirmed he had been selling drugs in a large scale operation.

Prior to the sentencing, Ahmed had pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine.

DI Stuart Dixon, of Pennine Police, paid tribute to the officers working on the Targeted Crime Team.

He said: “It is due entirely to their professionalism, commitment and tenacity that Ahmed was forced to plead guilty to his offences, having been confronted with overwhelming evidence against him.”

“It is also one of the longest sentences, proof that justice is done when it comes to offences like drug dealing within local communities in Pendle.”

The investigation into Ahmed’s activities also included officers working with local residents who provided valuable information.

DI Dixon said: “I hope this sentence serves as a warning to other people, particularly impressionable youngsters in local communities.

“Finally, I hope it spurs local residents on to continue coming forward with information that can be used by the police to put local criminals behind bars.”

Ahmed has been ordered, under the Proceeds of Crime Act to pay back £6,728 of the £388,000 he has made from selling drugs.

Under the act, following his release, officers will be able to seize any assets he acquires until the full amount is paid back.