A TATTOO artist has pleaded guilty to five offences after being arrested by officers who found “bags of cocaine and cannabis”, with a street value of £4,000, in his car.

Police on patrol in Eastbourne spotted a gold Nissan Micra that had been reported by a member of the public the previous day as being involved in numerous suspected drug deals.

The vehicle and its driver - Emigert Cenmurati - were searched.

Bags of cocaine and cannabis with a combined estimated street value of around £4,000 were found, alongside a large quantity of cash.

Cenmurati was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs of Class A and Class B.

After further investigation, he was also arrested on suspicion of acquiring / using / possessing criminal property, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

Cenmurati, 26, a tattooist, of Seaside, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to all five offences when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

He has been remanded in custody for sentencing on June 8 at a court to be confirmed.

Inspector Rachel Barrow from the local policing team in Eastbourne said: “This is one of many arrests for drug supply offences in Eastbourne in the last two weeks.

“We have seen an increase in dealers in the town and with that comes some really significant concerns.

“In this case, our thanks go to local residents who reported the car that Cenmurati was driving as suspicious and officers were able to find it and stop it.

“What followed was a focused effort on the part of the officers, who worked a mammoth 22-hour shift to secure the evidence and charges against Cenmurati, which would lead to him remaining in custody and off the streets.

“All too often we forget to mention the detail around the work that local officers put into cases such as this, and I believe it is important to highlight and share with the public just how dedicated police officers in Eastbourne have been to tackling this problem.

“Working hand in glove with enforcement, prevention officers and partners from treatment services, Adult Social Care, Eastbourne Borough Council, as well as professionals working with the Rough Sleepers Initiative, we continue to help and safeguard local users who find themselves coerced and pressured into allowing their accommodation to be used by drug dealers.

“This is not a new or unique problem to Eastbourne, but in recent weeks the numbers of those exposed to this type of ‘cuckooing’ in Eastbourne has increased sharply.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of the work that has been taking place to make Eastbourne a hostile town to those who come here looking to profit from supplying controlled drugs and flooding the market with heroin and crack cocaine.

“As officers make arrests on a daily basis to those who insist on exploiting not just Eastbourne but other towns in Sussex, there is a clear message to stay away.

"You will be found, your drugs, cash, weapons and assets will be seized by police and we will not stop until we lock you up.”