A DRUG dealer caught as part of an undercover police crackdown in Banbury has admitted a string of offences involving the supply of Class A drugs.

Abdussalaam Salmin, of Towan Avenue, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty yesterday to seven counts relating to drug dealing in Banbury in January and March this year.

The 24-year old appeared via videolink from HMP Bullingdon at the brief hearing at Oxford Crown Court.

Prosecutors at the plea hearing said that in spite of the guilty plea there remained a disagreement over Salmin's basis of plea and the Crown Prosecution Service would not accept his assertion that his role in the drug dealing enterprise was a lesser one.

Judge Peter Ross accepted that the matter should be determined by a Newton hearing - which will see a court judge decide whether his basis of plea is accepted by the court or not.

The matter was adjourned for the two-hour hearing to be held at the same court on July 4 and Salmin was remanded in custody.

The hearing comes after a police crackdown on drug dealing in Banbury codenamed Operation Roebuck, from which Salmin was arrested together with a number of other men.

The Thames Valley Police operation saw two undercover officer s deployed to catch suspected drug dealing in the town.

Salmin admitted yesterday his part in the drug dealing and seven offences of dealing Class A drugs.

He admitted two counts of supplying cocaine to another and one of supplying heroin to another on three days in January at Lodge Close and Lucky Lane, Banbury.

Salmin also admitted a further three counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and one of being concerned in the supply of heroin in January and March this year.

These offences took place at Lodge Close, Edinburgh Way and the car park at Homebase, Southam Road, Banbury.