A drug dealer who was caught with close to a kilogram of cocaine after he got stuck in traffic at the Dartford Crossing has been jailed.

Marian Dinca was sentenced to four years and four months at Maidstone Crown Court today after being found with the class A drug last month.

The 26-year-old, of Ambleside Drive, Leicester, was forced to stop his vehicle, a black Fiat 500, as he drove towards Essex on the afternoon of April 17.

Police were able to detain him when he became stuck in traffic.

They searched the vehicle and uncovered a reusable Tesco freezer bag that contained 0.9 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £45,000 to £90,000.

A smartphone was also seized and while Dinca was in custody the handset received several messages clearly connecting him to the transfer of the drug.

Leicestershire Police carried out further searches at the offender’s home, leading to the discovery of £12,500 in cash.

Dinca was charged the day after his arrest and admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and acquiring criminal property.

Detective Sergeant Jason Booth said: "A substantial amount of cocaine was found in Dinca’s car and this, coupled with the phone we seized, provides clear evidence that he was involved in a well organised plot to supply class A drugs.

"The quality of our evidence gathering, combined with the professionalism of our officers who acted quickly to detain him, led to this arrest.

"This result sends a clear message that we have the expertise and resources to target individuals involved in organised criminality in our county."