A drug dealer was arrested with cannabis worth £8,000 hidden in a backpack.

An off-duty police officer spotted Helmuth Osbourne as he handed over the drugs in a busy street.

The haul included herbal cannabis, a block of cannabis resin and up to 500 deals of the drug bagged up for sale.

Police put the haul on show yesterday, saying they would arrest and prosecute anyone found selling the drug, despite plans to relax the laws on cannabis.

Osbourne, 46, of Bevendean Avenue, Brighton, was jailed for six months at Lewes Crown Court on July 3 after he admitted possessing the drug with intent to supply.

He was arrested as he sold the cannabis to another man in Church Road, Hove, in May.

Sergeant Andy Richardson said: "It is very unusual to find this much on one person."