A man who sold heroin and crack cocaine to vulnerable drug users has been jailed.

Officers executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at an address in Crawley, where dealer Liam Batchelor was arrested as part of a county lines crackdown on November 30 last year.

Sussex Police had discovered that Batchelor was operating a drugs line supplying heroin and crack cocaine to vulnerable drug users in the area.

The 37-year-old, who referred to himself in bulk text messages as “Tilgate Liam”, was found in possession of six mobile phones.

Police examined the phones and found evidence that he was dealing drugs.

The Argus: Liam Batchelor has been jailedLiam Batchelor has been jailed (Image: Sussex Police)

Batchelor, of Boswell Road, Tilgate, was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, which he pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced to three years and nine months’ imprisonment when he appeared before Lewes Crown Court on January 12.

PC Dave Oliver, from the Operation Centurion team – a team from Surrey and Sussex Police that tackles county drug lines - said: “This is another great result in our continued efforts to target prolific drug dealers and protect vulnerable drug users in Crawley.

“It is essential we catch criminals before they have the opportunity to escape or conceal evidence, and sometimes this involves executing a pre-planned warrant.

“This case demonstrates that we could be coming for you anywhere, at any time.”