Police caught a drug dealer red-handed with thousands of pounds' worth of class A drugs in his underpants.

Nazmul Miah, 43, was a passenger in Gary Bendall’s car when it was stopped in Houghton Hill, Houghton, near Arundel.

The pair were returning from London and were stopped by officers from Sussex Police because their vehicle was deemed to be suspicious.

Miah, of St James Square, Chichester, handed over wraps of class A drugs worth £7,500 which he had concealed in his underwear.

The Argus: Nazmul Miah, 43, of St James Square, Chichester, has been jailedNazmul Miah, 43, of St James Square, Chichester, has been jailed (Image: Sussex Police)

And phones linked to Bendall, 37, had evidence of extensive drug dealing in and around Chichester.

At Lewes Crown Court on February 16, both men were convicted and sentenced.

The court heard how officers from Sussex Police's specialist enforcement unit (SEU) stopped the vehicle on May 9 last year.

Phone messages showed drug dealing linked to both men.

An investigation was completed by detectives from Chichester criminal investigations department and both men were charged.

Bendall, of Meaden Way, Felpham, admitted being concerned in the supply of diamorphine (heroin) a class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, also a class A drug.

The Argus: Gary Bendall, 37, of Meaden Way, Felpham, has been jailedGary Bendall, 37, of Meaden Way, Felpham, has been jailed (Image: Sussex Police)

He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

Miah admitted the same two charges and possession of criminal property.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Hopkins said: “Our investigation showed that the two defendants were heavily involved in supplying drugs in West Sussex.

“The evidence meant they had no choice but to plead guilty to the charges in court.

“We are pleased that they have been sentenced, and that two men who were concerned in supplying class A drugs which cause so much harm are now behind bars.”

Ollie Pullen, an inspector from the SEU, said: “This case demonstrates the determination of officers from the SEU to deny criminals the use of the road network and to disrupt the supply of drugs into our communities.”