A man who was caught with a large quantity of cocaine and cash and was driving without a licence in a south Suffolk village has been jailed.

Alberto Deda, of no fixed address, was stopped by officers from Suffolk police's Sentinel South team on July 12 while driving a hire car in Capel St Mary, off the A12.

Police searched the vehicle and discovered 17 wraps of cocaine hidden in black socks, as well as £270 cash. 

The 23-year-old admitted to officers he didn't possess a driver's licence.

He had used a false address in Ipswich to hire the car with a counterfeit driving licence on his phone.

Deda was stopped in Capel St MaryDeda was stopped in Capel St Mary (Image: Suffolk Constabulary) Officers discovered messages on the phone directing Deda to drug deal meetings.

He was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of a counterfeit identity document with intent to deceive and driving without a licence or insurance.

Deda appeared in front of Ipswich Crown Court last Friday and pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

He was sentenced to a total of two years in jail.

Sentinel Sergeant David Logan said: "We are pleased Deda was arrested, charged, convicted and jailed within a month.

"Our team exists to keep Suffolk residents safe from people like Deda and his cocaine-using customers who drive on our roads.

"Thankfully, his phone highlighted his customers to us and they can expect to be drug wiped at the roadside soon.”

Suffolk police said the three Sentinel teams across the south, west and eastern areas of the county provide enhanced coverage of Suffolk’s road network to "proactively disrupt serious and organised criminal activity, as well as increase police visibility". 

The force added: "The mobile unit disrupts criminals and protects communities across Suffolk’s road network using a variety of techniques to deal with offenders involved."