A DRUG dealer caught by police with crack cocaine hidden in his pants has been jailed for nearly three years.

Callum Welch, 21, of Graham Bell Close, Bettws, Newport, admitted possession of a class A drug with intent to supply at the city’s Devon Place on September 15.

Welch was stopped and searched by plain-clothed officers.

Outside the court, Police Constable Andrew Owens said: “Welch attempted to deceive officers stating that he was not in possession of any drugs.

“However, following a ‘strip search’, more than 60 individual deals of crack cocaine were located concealed in his underwear. This led to his 32-month prison sentence.”

Welch entered a guilty plea before Newport magistrates and was committed to Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing where Judge Tom Crowther QC jailed him.

It was said in mitigation that Welch had admitted his guilt at the first opportunity.

The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the crack cocaine and ordered Welch to pay a £170 victim surcharge after his release from prison.