Two drug dealers, caught concealing drugs in a fake deodorant can, have been jailed for nearly four years following another successful result from Operation Raptor South team.

Basildon Crown Court heard how officers from the South Operation Raptor team were on a routine patrol in Long Riding, Basildon January 16th this year when they a man acting suspiciously.

They kept watch and within minutes a Fiesta parked up. The man approached the car and an exchange took place through the passenger window.

The officers blocked in the vehicle and carried out a search of the car and arrested two men inside, 32-year-old Christopher Cooper and 30-year-old Dean Pike.

The car was searched and officers found a fake deodorant can which was found to be concealing 17 wraps of the Class A drug cocaine as well as a mobile phone containing evidence linking the pair to the supply of drugs.

The pair were arrested and Cooper of no fixed abode and Pike of Winter Folly Laindon were both charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Cooper and Pike both admitted the charge when they appeared at Basildon Crown Court and both were sentenced to 45-months.

Following the sentencing investigating officer PC Andrew Heard of the South Operation Raptor team said: “Pike and Cooper no doubt thought their efforts to conceal the drugs in a fake deodorant can was enough to throw Operation Raptor off the scent, but they were wrong.

“We know the areas we patrol inside out. We know who the dealers are, who their customers are, the places they frequent to sell their drugs, the vehicles they use and their associates.

“It’s only ever a matter of time before Op Raptor come knocking on your door if you are trying to deal drugs in this county and, like Cooper and Pike, you can expect to find yourself getting arrested and put behind bars.”

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Pike and Cooper were sentenced on Tuesday February 20.