A drug dealer attempted to hide a ball of cocaine from police by kicking it under a car while she was being questioned in the street.

Annette Denicolais was followed by suspicious patrols in Broadstairs to her address in Dundonald Road after they spotted her driving a Volkswagen Polo.

They stopped the 56-year-old close to her home, and, while speaking with a constable, she tried to discreetly drop the class A substance on the floor before kicking it out of sight.

But her attempt to hide the ball, which contained a white substance later confirmed to be cocaine, was seen and she was arrested.

DI Julien Lawton said: "Denicolais was actively involved in the supply of class A drugs across Thanet, despite knowing full well the impact drug abuse has on individuals and surrounding communities."

Denicolais was already under investigation for drug supply offences prior to the incident on May 8, 2019.

A search was carried out at her home seven months before by officers - but Denicolais was not present at the time.

She parked a vehicle outside while investigators were at the scene and tried to flee when she noticed they were at her property, before being pulled over by a marked car.

During the searches of her property and car, two mobile phones, MDMA and crack cocaine were seized.

A review of one of her phones revealed she was involved in supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

Detectives investigating both incidents charged Denicolais with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, possessing MDMA and cocaine with intent to supply and possessing crack cocaine.

She was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday to three years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to the offences.

"She was actively involved in the supply of class A drugs across Thanet despite knowing the impact drug abuse has on individuals and communities..."

DI Lawton added: "There can be no tolerance for people who seek to supply drugs and, as a force, we are continually gathering new intelligence and targeting offenders to ensure drugs are seized before they hit the streets.

"I am pleased a custodial sentence has been imposed and would encourage anyone with information on drug dealing to report it to us so we can take similar action against other offenders."

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