A DRUG dealer who hid crack cocaine and heroin in his socks has died.

HM Prison Risley inmate Raymond Cartwright died at Warrington Hospital on Sunday, August 6.

An inquest into his death was opened today (August 23) by area coroner Victoria Davies at Cheshire Coroner’s Court.

Cartwright, formerly of Ford Court in Winsford, was jailed four years ago after police found more than £250 of crack cocaine in his socks.

Officers executed a search warrant at his home on May 16, 2019, when he admitted to having hid drugs in the sock he was wearing on his left foot.

There was more than twice as much class A drugs in the sock than he said there was when officers found him in a bedroom and explained that a drugs dog would be searching the property.

READ MORE: Drug dealer jailed after crack cocaine and heroin found in his socks

Northwich Guardian: Cartwright was being held at HM Prison Risley before his death on August 6Cartwright was being held at HM Prison Risley before his death on August 6 (Image: Google Maps)

In total, officers found 21 wraps of crack cocaine and five wraps of heroin in the sock, with an estimated street value of £260.

Officers also found a tub filled with £1,829.95 in cash in the bedroom.

Cartwright claimed the drugs were for personal use and the money had been saved up to buy back items from a pawnbroker.

However, following a two-day trial at Chester Crown Court he was convicted of two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin) and possession of criminal property (the money seized) on October 18, 2019.

Cartwright was sentenced on the same day and jailed for five-and-a-half years.

PC Jamie Roberts, who led the investigation, said at the time: “The sentence handed to Cartwright recognises the severity of his offending and I hope that this case sends out a clear message to other potential criminals that the use and supply of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in Winsford or elsewhere in Cheshire.”

Northwich Guardian: Cartwright died at Warrington HospitalCartwright died at Warrington Hospital (Image: Google Maps)

Fast forward to August 2023, Cartwright was admitted to Warrington Hospital after suffering with abdominal pain and vomiting.

He died on August 6, aged 55.

An inquest into his death has been set for February 29, 2024.