A father and son were arrested for drug offences after officers spotted white powder on the back seat of the car they were in, a court heard.

Paul and Mark Copping were in a Nissan Juke in Medway on October 8 last year.

After the “white substance” was seen, they were asked if they had any drugs. Both said they hadn’t any.

But a police dog sniffed out a sealed bag in the centre console, which was found to contain almost three grammes of cocaine worth about £300.

Prosecutor Tom Dunn said text messages on mobile phones indicated that the drug was being sold in amounts costing £50.

“Also found was a dealer’s kit,” he told Maidstone Crown Court.

“There were dealer bags with residue of white powder and two sets of scales.”

When searched at the scene, a cocaine spoon fell from Paul Copping’s trouser leg.

A further search at the police station revealed a small amount of cocaine. Mark Copping’s phone contained discussions about customers paying money into his bank account.

Mr Dunn said £1,135 was paid in between August 5 and September 30 last year, and then withdrawn.

Mark Copping, a roofer, of Windmill Street, Strood, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and his father, of the same address, admitted simple possession of the drug.

Kerry Waitt, for 27-year-old Mark Copping, said: “I put forward in mitigation ineptitude in giving out bank details for someone to look at them. He is not very good at this and lessons will be learnt.”

Mary Jacobson, for Paul Copping, 50, said although the former deckhand had previous convictions for possessing amphetamine and cannabis, he had not offended for 10 years.

Jailing Mark Copping for three years, Judge Adele Williams told him: “This was plainly street dealing of Class A drugs which are a great mischief in our society and capable of causing havoc in people’s lives.

“Those who deal in them can only expect an immediate custodial sentence.”

Paul Copping was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment suspended for two years. He will be under a tagged curfew for three months from 9pm to 7am. He was ordered to pay £250 costs.