A convicted drug lord who had his 69-year-old father-in-law act as his main drug runner has escaped from an open prison.

Sussex Police confirmed they are hunting for Scott Linegar, who was imprisoned at Ford Open Prison in Ford, near Arundel.

In the appeal to find him, the force said:  "Scott Linegar is 45, 5ft 7in and of medium build with short hair and brown eyes.

"Linegar was last seen on November 30 leaving Ford Open Prison, where he was serving a sentence for fraud and drugs offences.

"If you have seen Linegar or have information to help locate him, do not approach him but call 999 quoting Op Hemford."

The Argus: Scott LinegarScott Linegar (Image: Sussex Police)

Linegar, of Lower Green Gardens, Worcester Park, was jailed for 15 years in 2017 after he was convicted of a number of offences.

He had been running a network of drug operations across north Surrey and the south east for at least two years.

Stun guns disguised as mobile phones were used by Linegar and his crew to police his business and enforce drug-related debts.

Alan Oldfield, Linegar's father-in-law from Spreighton Road in West Molesey, worked as the main runner for the operation and performed most of the dirty work for his son-in-law.

These included collection, transportation, storage, preparation and onward distribution of drugs and deals with everything concerning the criminal proceeds.

Police believe Linegar and Oldfield thought that nobody would ever suspect a 69-year-old man to be involved in something like this and therefore would be the "perfect front".

Linegar lived in a detached privately rented house, living a life of luxury including spending more than £68k in two years on holidays and travel.

In fact Linegar had even gone so far as to claim benefits from Elmbridge Council claiming he had no capital and low income, and was handed a suspended sentence for this in April 2016.

At least £500k worth of drugs passed through the gang in the two-year conspiracy period.