Drug dealer with links to organised crime groups caught with £8,000 worth of cocaine and cash when stopped by West Yorkshire officers

Barry Calvert was locked up for five and a half years after officers followed his car from the Wetherby area before stopping him near to Thirsk on the A618, on May 18 this year.

The VW Scirocco was searched and two high-purity compressed blocks of cocaine were found hidden under the gear stick

Jane Brady, prosecuting, said the total street value of the cocaine was £4,400.

A carrier bag was also recovered from the vehicle which contained £3,680 in cash.

Calvert's fingerprints were found on the carrier bag

Calvert, 41, of Broughton Road, South Shields, made no comment when interviewed.

He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.

The father-of-four has previous convictions for drug dealing.

In 2001 he was a given 30-month prison sentence and was also locked up for four years in 2011.

A police report was handed to the court outlining Calvert's links to organised crime groups.

Sentencing Calvert, Judge Simon Batiste QC said: "It is arguable that you were directing or organising on a commercial scale.

"You have an operational or management function within a chain.

Calvert was also ordered to pay £4,400 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.