Suspected drug dealers caught thanks to Gingerbread Man air freshener

Two suspected drug dealers were caught red-handed — thanks to a gingerbread man air freshener.

Police became suspicious when they spotted a Suzuki Swift with a large novelty accessory hanging from the rear view mirror.

A check revealed the car had cloned number plates and had earlier been spotted parked outside flats in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts., which was linked to drug dealing.

Officers parked up, came up with a tactical plan to stop the car with suspects on board, and then waited to put their plans into action. 

A short time later, two men got in and the Suzuki was back on the move — but not for long. 

Seconds later, roads policing officers worked together to box the car in and bring it to a stop on Oct. 25. 

The suspect in the front passenger seat ran off but was caught nearby by a plain clothes officer.

He was arrested after officers seized a bag containing around 150 wraps of cocaine and heroin which he’d been carrying.

The driver was also arrested and when officers searched the car they found a bag of tools a police-style baton in the boot.

The car was seized, and further searches were also carried out at an address in Sutton-in-Ashfield linked to one of the suspects. 

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.

He was also charged with going equipped for theft, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis. 

He was also later reported for traffic offences. 

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession of cannabis. 

PC Dean Fenton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The gingerbread man air freshener in the car’s front window played a key part in helping us to identify that it was a cloned vehicle. 

“It’s quite large, almost obstructing the driver’s view, so it just marked the car out for us perfectly. 

“We managed to locate it in an area linked to drug supply, firming up our suspicions, and everything pieced together from there. 

“It was a great all round team effort which enabled us to make these arrests and take a significant amount of Class A drugs out of circulation.”

Both suspects have been released on conditional bail while officers continue with their inquiries.