A drug dealer’s car has become a four-wheeled advert for crimefighters.

Crack cocaine pusher Yafet Berhane’s Mini Cooper was seized by police after he was locked up last year.

Now the charity Crimestoppers and Sussex Police have emblazoned the vehicle with messages to warn dealers and reassure the community that crime doesn’t pay.

The message: “This used to be a drug dealer’s car - now it’s ours!” has been painted on the side of the car.

Berhane, 28, was duped into selling crack cocaine to undercover police officers between January and May last year.

When he was arrested in Brighton he tried to throw away a package containing cocaine and heroin.

Metropolitan Police officers searched a safety deposit box in London where Berhane had stashed £122,000 in cash.

After admitting dealing he pleaded guilty to money-laundering and was sentenced to five years in prison.

At a hearing in June a judge ordered Berhane to pay back his £127,971 illegal earnings and directed the Mini should be confiscated.

Detective Sergeant Mick Richards, of Sussex Police’s money-laundering investigation unit, said: “Yafet Berhane is now in prison.

“He’s lost his liberty, his profits from drug-dealing and his car.

“The seized Mini Cooper is a thought-provoking demonstration of our commitment to seize assets from those who profit from drug-dealing and cause misery to others.

“It also shows that we will continue to target drug-dealers at all levels.”

Sussex Crimestoppers campaigns for public support to help catch criminals and runs an anonymous phoneline for people to pass information to the police.

Carolyn Collard, the charity’s chairwoman, said: “We have a strong track record in helping the police catch criminals and seize assets and the Mini Cooper is a great example of that partnership in action.”

Sussex Police’s “Too Much Bling, Give Us A Ring” campaign has been set up to allow people suspicious of how others are funding their lavish lifestyles to pass on information to the force.

Anyone with information or suspicions about money laundering is asked to visit www.2muchbling.co.uk, call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 quoting Too Much Bling or to phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.