A LONDON crack dealer arrested in a drugs bust in Swindon has been handed a three year jail term.

Nevo Aguiar, 23, from South London, was sentenced for three years and four months at Swindon Crown Court yesterday for selling crack cocaine.

Aguiar was arrested after police forced entry into a flat on Reading Street, behind the Brunel Shopping Centre.

In the raid they found a large amount of crack cocaine worth nearly £1,000, more than £1,000 in cash, and a phone linking him to messages to sell the class A drugs.

Police thanked the local community after bringing the suspicious activity of the dealer to its attention.

Det Con George Booth said: "This is a successful outcome which has put a drug dealer behind bars for a number of years.

"Thanks to the local community reporting suspicious activity surrounding the premises we were able to build enough intelligence and information to arrest and subsequently charge this individual.

“The intelligence we receive from our communities is crucial in helping us, our partner agencies and neighbouring forces in tackling county lines and safeguarding people - those who are often vulnerable and who are exploited by drugs gangs from larger cities.

"I would urge members of the public to be vigilant and look out for some of the most visible signs that drugs gangs are operating in neighbourhoods and to report this to us by calling 101.

"You can also call anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."