AN illegal immigrant has been jailed for four years for selling crack cocaine on the streets of Bolton.

Within days of entering Britain illegally, Jamaican-born Denis Reid was found selling drugs on a Bolton street.

He had entered Britain through Gatwick airport where immigration officials had confiscated his passport and ordered him to return home.

But instead of flying back to Jamaica, Reid absconded and ended up in Bolton where he was arrested.

He was detained as part of Operation Resident, a crackdown by Bolton Police on prostitution, kerb crawling and drug dealing in the Haulgh area.

Reid, aged 48, of Bradford Street, Bolton, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence and was jailed for four years by Recorder Campbell Tait.

He had earlier admitted possessing heroin and crack cocaine and supplying crack cocaine on January 23 this year.

The court heard that officers saw Reid meeting a female.

They watched as Reid and the female got into a car. When they approached the car Reid threw the drugs he was selling into the car's footwell.

Forensic examination revealed the drugs to be 1.34 grammes of crack cocaine with a street value of £134 and 1.67 grammes of heroin worth £167.

Immigration officials are aware of the case and once he has finished his sentence he will be deported.

Chief Insp Alan Greene of Bolton police welcomed the sentence.

He said: "Drug dealing has been a real problem within the Haulgh area and we are trying to put a stop to this.

"I am glad this man has received such a long sentence."