Police have issued a stern warning to drug dealers and said they will not be tolerated after two out-of-town criminals have been jailed.

Two London drug dealers have been jailed for a collective total of more than five years thanks to another successful result from Essex Police's South Operation Raptor team.

Following the sentencing investigating officer PC Andy Heard said: “I’m sure, like most drug dealers, Tahir and Gibbons were arrogant enough to believe they could come to Essex and deal drugs on our streets – they were wrong.

“These drug dealers forget that, just like them, we know where they ply their trade, we know the people they associate with and we know the tactics they use.

“We will continue to hunt down those who think they can come to our towns to sell drugs on our streets and we will leave no stone unturned in arresting them and putting them behind bars.”

Basildon Crown Court heard how officers from the team were out patrolling in Laindon on October 10 last year when they became suspicious of a vehicle.

The VW was seen driving slowly around well known drug-dealing spots in Basildon over a two-hour period.

When the vehicle finally came to a stop in Laindon officers approached the car and searched those inside.

Ahmed Tahir, 24, of Ilford was found with three wraps of heroin and five of crack cocaine as well a phone containing evidence linking him to the supply of Class A drugs.

Krishan Gibbons , 24, of Woodford Green was found with £120 in cash. 

A further search of the car found another mobile phone containing evidence of drug dealing, an eight-inch lock knife and a folded lottery ticket, thought to be used to wrap drugs, which was found to have traces of cocaine on it.

Both were arrested and Tahir was charged with two counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply.

Gibbons was charged with breaching bail, two counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and driving without an MOT certificate.

The pair both appeared at Basildon Crown Court where they admitted the charges.

Gibbons was jailed for four years whilst Tahir was handed a 32-month prison sentence.

The judge also commended PCs Adam Blackwell and Andrew Heard of the South Operation Raptor team for their “well organised investigation”.

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 contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The pair were sentenced on Friday April 20.