THREE drug dealers have been jailed for a total of seven years after undercover officers caught them with almost £3,000 worth of cocaine.

Basildon Crown Court heard how officers were patrolling the Basildon area on June 28 last year when they spotted a car parked in Craylands.

Suspecting a drug deal was about to take place, officers approached the car and could see 27-year-old Jack Miller inside the car with a bag containing 24 wraps of cocaine.

All three people in the car were arrested.

During a search at Miller’s home in Saxon Court, Benfleet, the officers found £1,300 in a cupboard, believed to be the proceeds of his drug dealing.

Officers also searched the home of 25-year-old Daniel Norfolk, in Craylands, Basildon, and they found cocaine in a jewellery box, a stun gun, two knuckle dusters, an asp and CS spray.

Officers also found a list of drug transactions which had been written by Norfolk. The total haul of drugs had a street value estimated at £2,920.

Miller was charged and admitted possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug. He was jailed for 18 months.

The third man in the car, Jamie Egan, 35, of Great Gregorie, Basildon, was charged and found guilty of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug. He was jailed for two and a half years.

Norfolk was charged and was found guilty of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon and possessing a Class A drug. He was jailed for a total of three years.

Following the sentencing, Pc Dan Onley of the South Operation Raptor team said: “We know where drug dealers operate, who they associate with and what vehicles they use.

“We’ve said time and again that if people are dealing drugs it is only a matter of time before Operation Raptor come knocking on your door. If people – like these three dealers – choose to ignore that warning then they can expect to find themselves in a prison cell very soon.

“Essex Police will continue to ensure there is no place to hide.”

Anyone with information about drug crime can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers.