A DRUG dealer who was caught after he tried to evade police suspecting him of car insurance offences has been jailed.
Anthony Dowdie, 27, of St Saviour's Road, West Croydon, was jailed for five-and-a-half years for possession with intent to supply heroin, MDMA and cannabis.
He was also sentenced today at Snaresbrook Crown Court for dangerous driving after speeding away from police who tried to stop him on April 2 last year.
Police were alerted to his BMW because it triggered an ANPR camera for possibly having no insurance, and tried to stop him as he headed from West India Dock Road towards Aspen Way, Tower Hamlets.
But Dowdie instead sped up, cutting across lanes of traffic, and throwing a tube out of the passenger window, later found to contain heroin, MDMA and cannabis, worth in total up to £3,900.
Dowdie was arrested after performing a U-turn on the busy Aspen Way, accelerating and jumping another red light before pulling over.
He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ian Beattie, from Tower Hamlets CID, said: "Dowdie had no reason to be in Tower Hamlets that day aside from dealing drugs. His actions clearly showed he had something to hide and he did his best to dispose of the evidence.
"This result proves how valuable ANPR can be in combating crime."
