A DRUG dealer from Alvechurch, who carried a brick of cocaine in a carrier bag while out in Birmingham with his three-year-old daughter, has been jailed for more than eight years.

Carl Brookes, 31, of Aqueduct Lane, was arrested as he came out of Five Ways railway station on Thursday, April 14.

A search of the drawstring bag found a kilogram of the 93 per cent pure Class A drug, which had been compressed into a large brick. It was estimated to have a street value of £185,000.

A further search of Brookes' home uncovered an industrial press, which, when forensically tested, showed traces of cocaine.

Brookes appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, August 25 and pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was sentenced to eight years and seven months behind bars.

Detective Constable Phil Caldwell, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "Brookes clearly used his daughter as a smoke screen to deflect attention from his criminal activity.

"It’s abhorrent that he should use a young child in such a way and I am pleased that he will be spending time behind bars to reflect on his actions.

"We will not tolerate drug dealing and the associated criminality and anti-social behaviour it brings to our communities."