A DEALER who crammed 46 wraps of crack cocaine in his bottom tried to sell drugs to a police officer.

Essex Police's North Operation Raptor team were patrolling in George Williams Way, Colchester, when they spotted James Mamali acting suspiciously.

Minutes later he approached an officer and asked if they wanted to buy heroin or crack.

As the officer produced his handcuffs to arrest the 29-year-old, he ran off before being tackled and detained.

He was taken to Colchester police station where he was searched and found in possession of £800 in cash.

The drugs in his bottom were also discovered.

He initially refused to pass them, but eventually did after spending four days in custody.

Mamali of Sutton Road, Canning Town in East London was charged with two counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and assaulting a police officer.

He denied the charges but was found guilty after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court and was jailed for five years following his arrest in February.

Following the sentencing Det Sgt Andy Stott of the North Operation Raptor team said: “Drug dealers may be under the illusion that they can come to Essex and sell drugs, but, as this case shows, we are always right behind them.

“In this instance Mamali had no idea that the ‘punter’ he was trying to sell Class A drugs to was a Raptor officer.

“However his bad luck meant we were able to take him off the streets and lock him up for a significant amount of time as well as stopping Class A drugs from being sold in our community.

“If you think you can come to Essex to sell drugs, think again, Operation Raptor will be waiting for you.”

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.