A SUSPECTED drug dealer was caught after police stopped him for driving while using his phone.

Just five days later he was arrested again, with officers uncovering a major cannabis haul.

Cops from the specialist Dedicated Crime Team stopped the 25-year-old in Walcot on Sunday, November 4.

The man volunteered two bags of cannabis when his car was stopped. A search then found another 11 bags of cannabis in the car – along with a mobile phone hidden in the man’s underwear.

When police searched the man’s home they found £6,000 in cash. The man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was released under investigation.

Five days after he was released, the man failed to stop for police on Kingshill Road on Thursday, November 9.

He abandoned his car – but was stopped by officers on Swindon Road. A search of the area between the dumped car and where he was caught by cops uncovered another seven wraps of cannabis.

Police returned to the man’s home and lock-up garage, finding a further 41 wraps of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. Expensive clothing and the man’s car were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, failing to stop for officers and money laundering.

He has been released under investigation.

The arrest has prompted a warning from Wiltshire Police about the dangers of cannabis.

PC Matthew Barnett of the Dedicated Crime Team said: “We’d like to remind the public that cannabis is still illegal and can have harmful effects on some of the most vulnerable people in our society. To say that this drug is safe and has no impact on our community would be quite wrong.

“We will continue to enforce the law around cannabis supply and not only that, but if you are involved in dealing any illegal drugs, please be aware that we will look to confiscate any items gained through the profits of that crime, be it cars, clothes or cash. This can have a significant effect on not only the dealers but their family around them, and we would ask people to think about the full consequences of their actions before getting involved in supplying illegal drugs.”

To report information about drug dealing call Wiltshire Police on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.