A DRUG dealer caught with cannabis and cocaine worth up to £20,000 has been jailed.

Police were called to a house in Ipswich Road, Colchester, after neighbours became concerned about a strong smell of cannabis.

Once inside they found 200g of cocaine and nearly 2kg of cannabis in a room occupied by Nathan Barber.

Weighing scales were also discovered, a CS spray cannister and £7,000 in cash.

The drugs are thought to be worth between £17,000 and £20,000.

Barber, 28, admitted possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of the weapon.

Judge Emma Peters jailed him for 40 months at a hearing at Ipswich Crown Court.

“It is clear that room with a wardrobe, chest of drawers and a bed in was for you to sleep in and to supply drugs from,” she said.

“A cannister of CS spray can cause great harm and great pain.

“Anyone involved in the dealing of drugs causes great misery and hardship, not only to those they sell to but also to law abiding members of society.

“The courts take a very dim view of people who sell drugs.

“You do have a future ahead of you.

“Use your time in prison to rehabilitate.”

Barry Gilbert, mitigating, said Barber was only sofa surfing at the address in March at the time of the raid and had never used the spray.

“He accepts he knew what was going on,” he said.

“He would oversee people as they came and went and helped themselves to portions of the drugs.

“He knew they were there.

“The CS spray he has had for some time.

“Partly it was because he was interested in it but also partly for protection.

“There is no evidence to suggest it was ever fired.”