A drug dealer jailed for 18 years has been mocked for a ‘criminal’ combover in his police mugshot.

Jamie Veale, 32, has been jailed for 18 years for the supply of around 17kg of cocaine through an encrypted device known as EncroChat.

But after police shared his mugshot online, social media wags were quick to joke his drastic comb over hairstyle was criminal too.

One comment read: "If you break the law, you're going toupée".

The Bolton News: Veale, of Widnes, Cheshire was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 25 July after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugsVeale, of Widnes, Cheshire was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 25 July after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs (Image: SWNS)

Another read: "Ten years of his sentence must be for hairdressing crimes, the other eight is for dealing."

A third joker commented: "What does he ask for in the barbers? A four on the side, a 22 on the left side and back, then four Cornish pasties on top."

A fourth user joined in: "Barber: 'What you having?' Him: 'French beret please'."

One Instagram user asked: "He was arrested for the haircut, right?"

Veale, of Widnes, Cheshire was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 25 July after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

Police said data from a three-week snapshot - 19 May to 13 June 2020 - showed Veale using EncroChat to operate as a high-level supplier of drugs.

He was seen to negotiate prices for kilo amounts of class A drugs from those involved in the importation of the bulk amounts.

Cheshire Police said he was responsible for the supply of at least 17kg of cocaine.

Despite no visible signs of income, he boasted of extravagant month-long stays in luxury villas, owned a jet ski and had designer watches, the force said.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Christian Gordon said: “Despite having no job, Veale reaped the benefits of his criminal activity, owning luxury items and going on expensive trips abroad.

“He was responsible for the supply of a substantial amount of cocaine and ran his conspiracy through a platform he believed would keep him under the radar.

“After EncroChat was infiltrated, officers were able to comb through messages attributed to Veale under a codename and collect a catalogue of evidence against him."