TWO men have been jailed after officers found 30 wraps of drugs when they attended a collision the pair were involved in.

On 22 October last year, a Fiesta was involved in a single-vehicle collision at the Five Bells roundabout, Basildon. 

The driver ran away from the scene, but officers spoke to the remaining passenger. 

Officers seized 30 wraps of drugs, later confirmed as cocaine, from passenger Jamie Bagnell who was arrested at the scene but released under investigation.

Jamie Bagnell and Billy Neighbour

Forensic officers lifted a fingerprint from the car and found DNA on the car's airbag, both later identified as belonging to Billy Neighbour, placing him in the car. 

During the investigation, analysis of a mobile phone left in the car showed extensive drug-dealing related messages between Billy Neighbour and others.

Following an investigation, warrants were issued for both men's arrest which were executed on 13 December 2022. Both men were remanded in custody and appeared at Southend-on-Sea the following day.

Jamie Bagnell, 23 of Nevendon Road, Wickford and Billy Neighbour, 31, of Pevensey Close, Pitsea, were jailed for drug offences at Basildon Combined Court after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

Neighbour was jailed for a total of five years and eight months for being concerned in the supply of drugs and possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply. He was also disqualified from driving for almost five years as he was a disqualified driver at the time of the collision.

Bagnell was jailed for a total of three years for being concerned in the supply of drugs and possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.  

Investigating Officer Jemma Matlin of Operation Raptor, an Essex Police team dedicated to tackling drugs, said: "Our officers are always looking out for opportunities to tackle drug dealing and safeguard the community they serve and that's what happened when they attended the collision.

"A great investigative team from departments across the force worked together to ensure that Jamie Bagnell and Billy Neighbour have been jailed before the drugs they had in the car that night could hit our streets."