WORK by specialist officers from Essex Police has led to a Wickford-based drug dealer being jailed for almost two-and-a-half years.

Neal Bailey was arrested when officers from the force's Serious and Organised Crime Unit carried out a warrant at his home in Whist Avenue, Wickford, at 5am on 11 August this year.

During the warrant they seized £10,000 in cash and cocaine with a street value of more than £140,000 which was discovered inside the property and a car registered to Bailey.

The warrant was part of an investigation into the sale of Class A drugs in the south of the county.

The 59 year-old was charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.

He admitted the charges at Basildon Crown court on 9 September and has now been jailed for two years and four months.

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "Drugs are scourge on our society, ruining lives and destroying communities.

"We work relentlessly to disrupt and dismantle groups responsible for the infiltration of this poison onto our streets and putting drug dealers behind bars."

£10,000 in cash was seized.

Drugs with a street value of £14,000 were also seized