A HEROIN dealer was arrested after police gave chase to him when he tried to escape on his bicycle, a court heard.

Mohammed Bilal tried to evade officers on the streets of Pill, but was pulled from his bike and found to have 26.5 grammes of diamorphine worth £1,700 and £1,000 cash in his possession.

Bilal, 21, of Potter Street, Newport, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property in the form of cash.

Prosecutor Stephen Harmes said PC Darren Morgan was patrolling George Street, Newport – an area well known for dealing – in an unmarked car on June 10.

Bilal noticed the car and cycled off on to Cardiff Road, trying to evade the officer. Mr Harmes said that PC Morgan gave chase and officers were able to grab Bilal’s clothing and pull him from his bicycle.

At Newport Central police station, he was found to have nine small bags of heroin that had a street value of £1,720, plus £1,000 in cash.

He admitted the offences, with defence barrister Stephen Thomas saying he was “a courier who was very naïve”.

Judge Patrick Curran said Bilal was a “street dealer” and sentenced him to two years in prison for possession with intent to supply and no further sentence for possessing criminal property.