A CANNABIS dealer caught with a knife in his underwear has been jailed after being stopped by British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce.

Brandon French, of Horseley Heath, Tipton, was arrested at Smethwick Galton Bridge railway station in March.

The 25-year-old appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on March 31 where he pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article.

On May 3, a judge sentenced him to 22 months in prison.

Plain clothes officers from BTP’s County Lines Taskforce were patrolling at Smethwick Galton Bridge station on the morning of March 30 when they encountered French walking across the overbridge.

As they approached him the two officers caught a strong smell of cannabis and subsequently stopped him.

He offered up a small amount of cannabis and when officers searched him they discovered a small set of scales and individually wrapped bags of cannabis in his shoulder bag, before he told them he had a knife down his pants.

A dagger in its sheath was removed from his waistband and he was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs and possession of a bladed article and taken into custody for questioning.

A warrant was executed at his home and officers found small pieces of paper with French’s mobile phone number and the words ‘holla me 4 bud Frenchy’ on.

Detective Inspector Brian Buddo said: “Our County Lines Taskforce continues to be very active across the rail network and is as dedicated as ever to crack down on violent crime and the trafficking of drugs.

“French’s knife is one of 164 weapons the team removed from the railway in the past year.

He urged anyone who spots the signs of drug dealing on the railway to report it to police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.