A drug user who ran a mobile dealing service from his van was caught because of his erratic driving, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Friday.
Joseph Pike’s poor standard of driving attracted the attention of police and he was stopped on Cherry Holt Road, Bourne.
A roadside breathalyser test revealed he was not under the influence of alcohol and officer suspected he had taken drugs.
Faye Mellor, prosecuting, said a search of the van led to the discovery of cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy with a total street value of over £1,000.
A set of electronic scales containing traces of drugs together with a cutting agent used to dilute the purity of the drugs and freezer bags were also found.
Text messages on Pike’s mobile phone indicated he had been involved in selling drugs over the previous six weeks.
Pike (26), of Rotten Row, Pinchbeck, admitted two charges of possession of drugs with intent to supply and illegal possession of ketamine on December 14, 2012. He was jailed for two years and three months.
Recorder Timothy Spencer QC told him “Your case is an illustration of the pernicious effect of taking drugs.
“At heart I am satisfied you are a decent young man from a very decent family who can turn his life to rights in due course.
“But I am afraid this is too serious for me to give you an opportunity today. This was a substantial operation.”
Jim Earle, defending, said Pike had been using drugs since the age of 14 and after graduating from cannabis to cocaine and ketamine he rapidly got into debt with his dealer.
Mr Earle said Pike started selling drugs as a way to repay his debt but by the time of his arrest still owed £13,000.
“He was caught because of his erratic driving. The police stopped him. They did a breathalyser test. It clearly wasn’t alcohol that had affected him and they proceeded from there.”
Mr Earle said that Pike managed to get back into work following his arrest and has sought help for his drugs problem.