A DRUG dealer who claimed “prison is like a boarding school, and the inmates are the teachers” has been locked up for three years.

Repeat offender Brian Luminsa, of no fixed address, was also banned from Southend and Basildon for five years by a tough criminal behaviour order issued by the judge.

The 21-year-old was arrested in the Penine flats, in Coleman Street, Southend, on February 11 last year. At the time, Luminsa was on bail on suspicion of drug dealing offences in Harlow.

Officers from Southend’s anti-drugs Operation Raptor unit used a battering ram to force open the door, while Luminsa braced himself against a wall in a bid to stop them.

Officers then saw Luminsa throw 39 wraps of heroin and 15 wraps of cocaine in a bedroom.

He denied two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs but he was found guilty after a trial last month on the basis of much smaller amounts found on his person.

During a sentencing hearing at Basildon Crown Court, the court was told Luminsa made the boast about prison to probation officers while serving an 18 month sentence for the Harlow offences.

Despite this, Judge David Owen-Jones said he was impressed by his efforts to gain qualifications while inside.

Lucy Ginsberg, mitigating, said Luminsa still does not accept his guilt over the incident, but does accept he was involved in some drug dealing.

She said his comments about prison were “unfortunate” and he is “not having a wonderful time in prison.

She said: “He does not want to go back to this type of offending. His main aim is to stay out of trouble.”

Miss Ginsberg did not object to the criminal behaviour order, which lasts for five years, and also prevents him from being in possession of a mobile phone that is not registered to him.

Judge Owen-Jones said: “The courts treat the supply of class A drugs with seriousness. You know that because at the time of your trial you were serving an 18 month sentence.”

Making the CBO, the judge said: “If you breach it the consequences are dire.”