A BOLTON county lines drug dealer has been jailed after being caught red-handed by plain clothes police.

Christopher Cook was spotted by officers taking part in a drug deal on Longshaw Street in Bewsey, Warrington.

The 42-year-old, of Kylemore Avenue, Deane, stopped his car outside an address at around midday on the Monday in September 2019 before handing drugs to a ‘known user’.

Police patrols then followed his vehicle onto Watkin Street in Orford before a marked car pulled him over.

A crack pipe, £400 in cash and cocaine was found inside the suspect’s sock.

Heroin, crack cocaine and a mobile phone were also discovered hidden inside the casing of his handbrake.

Cook was found guilty of possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week and has now been jailed for three years and nine months.

Det Sgt Thomas Hall said: “Cook was part of an organised crime group called the AJ Team, based in Manchester.

“They ran a network known as a county line and would travel into Warrington to sell drugs to local users.

“By carrying out patrols and acting on information from within the community, we were able to identify a known drug user and catch Cook in the act and bring him before the courts.

“Drugs have a detrimental impact on vulnerable adults, young children and the wider community.

“We work really hard to identify and pursue individuals who come into Cheshire thinking they can take advantage and profit from illegal drug activity."