A drug-dealer who hid underneath a lorry after ramming into a police car has been jailed after a lengthy investigation.

On August 20, 2019, police officers witnessed a suspected drug deal taking place in a car linked to Nii Omane on Cameron Road, Chesham.

The 37-year-old of Melville Road, Haringey, London, rammed his car into a marked police car, causing damage to the vehicle and whiplash injuries to the police officer inside.

The car then made off and attempted to evade police.

The vehicle was later seen parked in a layby on the A41 near Watford and Hertfordshire Constabulary’s dog units attended and found Omane hiding underneath a parked lorry nearby.

Omane attempted to run away but the police dog soon caught him.

Officers searched him and he was found with £2,440 in cash and the keys to the vehicle that rammed the police car.

Near to where Omane was located, officers also found a Samsung mobile phone and a black film pot containing 14 wraps of heroin and 24 wraps of crack cocaine.

During a search at Omane’s home address, officers located a further £860 in cash, along with drug-dealing paraphernalia and a small amount of cannabis.

Omane was arrested the same day and following an investigation, he was charged on April 8, 2021.

Omane denied the offences in interview and throughout the entire investigation.

However, the drug dealer was forensically linked to the mobile phone, which contained clear, bulk messaging to vulnerable drug users about drugs supply. The phone was also linked to Omane through family contacts.

Omane was also forensically linked to the drugs packaging.

He also provided false details on a notice of intended prosecution for the driving offences initially, by supplying the name of someone completely different.

Eventually, he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely heroin and crack cocaine, and one count each of possession of a controlled drug of class B, namely cannabis, and dangerous driving.

Omane was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for six years on Tuesday, January 16.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nathan Devlin, based at Amersham police station, said: “I am glad Nii Omane has finally been sentenced.

"This case has been going on since 2019 with Omane pleading his innocence throughout the investigation.

"However, the evidence against Omane was so overwhelming that he had no choice but to eventually plead guilty on what was supposed to be the day of his trial.

“This sentence sends a message to people involved in the supply of drugs that drug-dealing will not be tolerated in South Bucks and we will be robust in our response.

“We will continue to pursue this criminal activity and look to protect vulnerable people where possible. 

“Anyone with information about drug dealing can contact us by calling 101 or by making a report online.

“If you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and they will take your information 100% anonymously.

“My thanks as well to Hertfordshire Constabulary for their support with attending the incident and apprehending Omane.”