THREE drug dealers, found with nearly £25,000 worth of drugs, have been jailed.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the South Operation Raptor team executed a warrant at a property in Nelson Road, Basildon on Friday March 24 this year.

Inside the property they found a bag containing 18 wraps of heroin, 14 wraps of crack cocaine and 10 wraps of cocaine.

They found a clear bag with 40 wraps of crack cocaine and another rucksack containing six small bags of cannabis and a further £500 worth of heroin and crack cocaine.

In the dining room of the property the officers found a suitcase with two kilos of cannabis inside with a street value of £20,000 and a further 60 grams of cocaine worth £3,000.

Three men – 24-year-old Dandy Ugbelase, 22-year-old Mwangata Bulaya and Thomas Withers, 21 – were all arrested on suspicion of various drug related offences.

Ugbelase of Luncies Road, Basildon admitted four counts of possession of a Class A drug when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court. He was jailed for four years.

Bulaya of Moretons Mews, Basildon admitted three counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and one count of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.

Withers of Stagden Cross, Basildon also admitted three counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and one count of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.

Investigating officer Det Con Adam Blackwell of the South Operation Raptor team said: “During this warrant we seized a substantial amount of Class A and B drugs, all of which were destined for the streets of our county.

“Not only did we prevent those drugs from reaching the streets but we have ensured that three drug dealers are no behind bars for a significant amount of time.

“We hope this sends a clear message that where we receive information from the community about those dealing drugs, we will act on it.”

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

Anyone with information about drug or gang-related crime can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.