A DRUGS mule who hid pellets of crack cocaine in his bum has been sent to jail for three years.

Barry Nelson of High White Close, Barrow was stopped by police earlier this year on June 1 when he was driving a white Ford Focus on the A590 near Dalton.

Police suspected the 46-year-old had stashed the drugs inside himself after he refused to cooperate and be fully searched by officers.

The Barrow resident was then taken to Furness General Hospital under police guard where he was later found to have had two bags of narcotics secreted on him.

Officers found one large bag containing an unknown substance and one small bag containing small crystals.

The large bag was packed with 65 individual parcels of crack cocaine worth an estimated £650, street value.

More like this: Man due in court over alleged Barrow drug dealing offences

Nelson had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and was sentenced today at Preston Crown Court.

Sergeant Jamie Eaton of Cumbria Constabulary said: "The investigation of Class A drugs supply is a priority for Cumbria Police and the sentence handed to Nelson should act as a deterrent to those wishing to involved themselves in such a criminal activity.

"We will continue to proactively investigate those involved in drug supply in order to bring those offenders to justice and to protect the public from the harm they cause to our communities."

More like this: Ulverston man pleads guilty to drug possession charge