A DRUG dealer was caught on CCTV trying to sell cocaine and heroin behind a canoe club.

Mitchell Taylor, 27, of Albert Road, Southend, has been jailed for more than three years after he was caught out by a council's CCTV footage.

At around 4.20pm on August 10, Chelmsford City Council’s CCTV team raised concerns with us about drug activity behind the Chelmsford Canoe Club.

Police quickly attended the scene and searched Taylor before finding two mobile phones and money.

The CCTV operator noticed that Taylor had a package in his trousers and a further search was completed.

Officers found 25 wraps hidden within a small bag containing class A drugs.

Taylor admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, and on September 9 he was jailed for three years and four months.

He also breached a suspended sentence given to him on March 3 this year for possession with intent to supply cannabis.

PC James Nickless, of Chelmsford's Community Policing Team, said: “Following excellent partnership work with the city council’s CCTV team, we attended the location and detained Taylor ahead of a search.

“Taylor has already been put before a court this year for drug dealing and he was given a suspended sentence in order to complete rehabilitation.

"He was found dealing drugs just two months after having his tag removed and clearly showed no regard for his previous conviction or the community of Chelmsford.

"Drug dealing is harmful to our communities and funds the exploitation of others. Taylor will now spend time in prison for his actions.”