A drug dealer who ‘thought he was untouchable’ has been jailed for 11 years for orchestrating cocaine and heroin trade on the streets of Weston-super-Mare.

Prince Martin-Fullerton ran a major narcotics ring via mobile phone, and even continued to do so while on bail after his initial arrest.

Birmingham Crown Court was told how the 26-year-old would bring the illegal class A drugs to Weston from the West Midlands himself, before using a network of runners to sell them on the town’s streets.

Martin-Fullerton arranged deals by phone, sending text messages to advise his punters he was ‘open and ready for business’ and then accepting orders.

He was arrested following what police describe as a ‘complex’ operation involving officers from the West Country and in the Midlands, yet still continued operating while on bail.

However, jurors were quick to convict him of dealing in class A drugs at the end of a two-and-a-half week trial, before a judge ordered him to spend 11 years behind bars.

Speaking at the conclusion of the trial, Detective Constable Richard Grierson, of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said Martin-Fullerton was just one of a number of drug dealers who have been brought to justice as a result of the investigation.

DC Grierson said: “Martin-Fullerton thought he was untouchable – he brazenly continued running his drugs operation even after being arrested and then resolutely denied being involved in court.

“The jury however saw right through his lies and he will now have to serve a considerable time in prison.

“His arrest was a result of a complex investigation conducted by both Avon and Somerset and West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit which has already led to dozens of criminals jailed for drug offences.

“We want to continue to make Avon and Somerset a hostile area for drug-dealers and we’re working extremely hard to identify and dismantle other drugs operations like this one.

“We need people to be our eyes and ears to help eradicate drug-dealing in our local communities. If you have information about people you believe are dealing drugs, please call us.”

Anyone with information about drug dealing can call police on 101, visit the force website or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.