Suspected drug dealers caught thanks to Gingerbread Man air freshener

Two suspected drug dealers were caught red-handed – thanks to a gingerbread man air freshener.

Police became suspicious when they spotted a Suzuki Swift with a large, novelty accessory hanging from its rearview mirror.

A check revealed the car had cloned number plates and had previously been spotted parked outside homes in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottingham, which was linked to drug dealing.

The officers parked, came up with a tactical plan to stop the car with suspects on board, and then waited to put their plans into action.

A short time later two men got in and the Suzuki drove again – but not for long.

Seconds later, highway patrol officers worked together to corral the car and bring it to a stop on October 25.

The suspect in the passenger seat fled but was caught nearby by a plainclothes officer.

He was arrested after officers seized a bag containing around 150 wraps of cocaine and heroin that he had been carrying.

The driver was also arrested and when officers searched the car they found a bag of tools and a police baton in the trunk.

The car was seized and further searches were also carried out at an address in Sutton-in-Ashfield linked to one of the suspects.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of crack cocaine.

He was also charged with preparing to commit theft, possessing an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis.

He was later also reported for traffic offenses.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of crack cocaine and heroin and possession of cannabis.

PC Dean Fenton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The gingerbread man air freshener in the windscreen of the car played a key role in identifying it was a cloned vehicle.”

“It's quite large and almost obstructs the driver's view, so it defines the car perfectly for us.

“We managed to locate it in an area linked to drug supply, which confirmed our suspicions and pieced it all together from there.

“It was a great, all-round team effort that enabled us to make these arrests and take a significant amount of Class A drugs out of circulation.”

Both suspects have been released on bail while officers continue their investigation.