A TEENAGER who was caught hiding in a cupboard during a police raid started a lengthy prison sentence this week.

Quibelo Jesualdo dropped his rucksack filled with drugs and took cover in a wardrobe as officers scoured a property in Hamburgh Close.

They found Jesualdo, aged 18 years, hiding in the room and placed him under arrest.

But the teenager gave police false details, sparking a short investigation to discover his true identity.

Officers searched the youngster's bag and found wraps of heroin and cocaine. They also found drug paraphernalia at his home address in Croydon.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "On October 12 2016 at around 1.25pm police officers attended an address in Hamburgh Close, Reading, where they found a male youth trying to hide in a wardrobe.

"The youth was arrested but gave false details, but was later identified as Jesualdo.

"During the arrest officer seized seven wraps containing heroin and cocaine which were hidden inside a rucksack in the bedroom."

Jesualdo, of High Street, South Norwood, Croydon, was charged with a possession with intent to supply both cocaine and heroin.

He was also charged with a single count of facilitating the acquisition of criminal property.

A judge sitting at Reading Crown Court jailed the 18-year-old for two years and eight months.

Detective Sergeant Jon Nicholls added: "This was a "county lines" case, where London gangs cross county lines in order to supply Class A drugs. This sentence sends a strong message to anyone looking to enter the Reading area and exploit our community for profit.

"Thames Valley Police is committed to tackling drug dealing and organised crime through our Stronghold campaign."