A drug dealer who brazenly posed with cash and cocaine has been caught by police after they spotted his distinctive scorpion tattoo.

Tristan Wilson, 19, from Ebbw Vale, Gwent, was unable to explain why he had photographs of himself holding large bundles of money and drugs after police found his Snapchat posts.

The teenager pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday.

He also pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

The drug dealer's phone was searched by Gwent Police officers following a warrant in Heol Yr Ysgol in October.

Detectives found a picture of Wilson, sporting a gold chain and grey beanie, while he held a stash of £10 notes and posed to the camera.

Another picture showed the teenager with a stack of cash, a drug scale and a lighter. 

He also posted a picture with four bundles of notes and his scorpion tattoo visible. He accompanied the picture with the song 'Dirty Cash'.

Inspector Laura Paget said: 'The evidence we uncovered from the defendant's mobile phone showed clearly, from text messages and photographs, that he was involved in the sale and supply of cocaine.

'Wilson has a distinctive scorpion tattoo on his right-hand and he could not explain why he had photographs of himself holding large bundles of cash or images of cocaine.

'The evidence of Wilson's illegal activities was overwhelming; he had little option but to plead guilty to the charges he faced in court.

'Formed in June last year, Gwent Police Community Action Team works alongside existing neighbourhood teams to proactively target crime trends affecting specific communities in Gwent.

'In our first six months, we've tackled drug offences, anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime in hotspot areas across Gwent and made more than 120 arrests.

'Neighbourhood policing is all about solving local problems and intelligence provided by residents and businesses can help us allocate the right resources to the very heart of our communities.'