DRUG dealers who were caught with nearly £1,300 in cash, as well as heroin and a knuckleduster in a dramatic arrest by armed police, have been jailed.

Daniel Jacobs, 34, and Phillip Buckley, 37, were arrested in Aston Road, Laindon, near the Laindon Community Centre, on March 17.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Southend Crown Court heard police found the weapon in Jacobs’ car along with 19 wraps of heroin.

Prosecuting, Philippa Page said: “Mr Buckley dropped a phone into a puddle but it wasn’t damaged and police found a number of standard drug dealing messages going back to December 2022.

“Mr Jacobs also had a phone with drug dealing messages going back to May 2021, and police also found 19 wraps of heroin.

“The phone messages were a clear indication of the drug dealing. A total of £555 was found on Mr Buckley and Mr Jacobs was found with £710. Both have substantial amounts of previous convictions.”

The court was told how Buckley was also found with £570, a crack pipe, cocaine, heroin and amphetamine in another incident in May 2020.

Mitigating for Jacobs, of Mynchens, Basildon, Diana Pigot, said: “He has glowing drug references from the prison, showing he’s someone who’s planning on changing his life around.

“He was doing small level dealing with very small amounts such as £50 or £60.”

Mitigating for Buckley, 37, of Keelpoint, Colchester, Christopher Martin told the court he became homeless at 14 and fell into taking drugs and alcohol abuse.

He said: “He’s suffering with ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. He was buying drugs for himself and others too.”

Sentencing the two men, Recorder David Osborne told the defendants that their sentences “may be lenient”.

He said: “I have done my best to give you as much of a chance as I can - don’t squander it. I think you are both people who can be useful with your lives.”

Both admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin. Buckley also admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and possession of heroin.

Buckley was jailed for three years and Jacobs was jailed for two-and-a-half-years