TWO police dogs helped track down two men accused of drugs offences following a vehicle stop on the A27.

Officers from the Sussex Roads Policing Unit were alerted to a vehicle linked to suspected county lines drugs supply and stopped the vehicle on the road in Fontwell.

However, the driver and the passenger attempted to run from the scene.

Although the driver was detained at the roadside, the passenger ran through a hedgerow to escape police.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, discovering a large quantity of cash and a burner mobile phone.

Sergeant Matt Longhurst from the Sussex Police Dogs Unit was called in to help find and detain the fleeing passenger.

He said: “I arrived at the scene with PD Perry, a three-year-old German Shepherd, and he immediately got to work to find the passenger.

“He found the suspect hiding after he attempted to run through a hedgerow and we were able to arrest him.

“Meanwhile PD Ezra, a three-year-old Cocker Spaniel, helped search the area and located a package which had been discarded.

“It contained multiple deal bags of what we believe to be crack cocaine and heroin.

“Thanks to PD Perry and PD Ezra, we were able to arrest the two men and ensure that we gathered evidence of their involvement in drug dealing.”

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply. He has been bailed, pending further enquiries.

A 28-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering, possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply, driving while over the prescribed limit for drugs and driving while disqualified.

Inspector Neil Carter said: “These arrests showed great teamwork between our Roads Policing Unit officers and our police dogs.

“It demonstrates our determination to disrupt the supply of Class A drugs, which cause so much harm and crime in our communities.”

Information about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour can be reported to Sussex Police online, via 101, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.