A DRUG dealer, found concealing heroin, crack cocaine and cash in his car, has been jailed for 18-months.
Barry Kent, 41, of The Mews, Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire was stopped by officers from Operator Raptor on Water Lane, Harlow on October 24 last year.
They searched Kent’s car with the help of Police Dog Bruno where they found a sock, filled with wraps of the Class A drugs Heroin and Crack Cocaine, concealed behind a plastic panel in the driver’s footwell. He also had £445 in cash.
Kent was arrested and, during interview, admitted to officers that he was acting as a “drugs runner” for a London-based gang.
He was charged and admitted two counts of Possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday January 10.
Sgt James Paget of the Operation Raptor team in the West said: “Essex Police will not tolerate those people supplying drugs in our communities.
“Kent’s conviction and imprisonment is another example of how we will robustly target those committing drug-related crime, ensuring they are brought to justice and put behind bars.
“Drug dealing gangs can have a devastating impact on both the community and those who become involved with them. Exploitation based on gang violence and drug addiction is sadly an increasing trend.
“If you know someone who is being exploited and or forced to break the law, or if you are in this position, please contact us. We will always help those in need.”
Operation Raptor teams have been set up in the North, South and West Local Policing Areas (LPAs) to detect and disrupt drug dealing gangs.
Anyone with information about drug-dealing, gang-related crime or exploitation, can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111