A man and woman have been sentenced after admitting to supplying drugs worth nearly £30,000.

Officers from the South Operation Raptor team executed a warrant at a property in Bushy Mead, Laindon, on February 21 this year.

They found 44-year-old Melanie King who pointed officers to a bag containing 400 grams of cocaine hidden on top of the fridge freezer.

They also found nearly a kilo of the Class B drug amphetamine, which was hidden in a freezer, along with £740 cash.

The cocaine had a street value of £20,500 while the amphetamine had an estimated value of £9,200. Officers also found drug paraphernalia including deal bags and weighing scales, and £2,940 in cash.

Officers conducted a further search in King’s car, which was parked outside, and a bag of amphetamine was found hidden in a birthday card.

During the search the owner of the house, 44-year-old Jon Rudd, returned and both he and King were arrested.

King and Rudd were both charged with possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply, two counts of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply and money laundering.

King admitted the charges when she appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, October 9 where she was given an eight-month jail term, suspended for nine months.

Rudd admitted the charges at an earlier hearing and was sentenced on Thursday, October 12 to three years and four months.

Following the sentencing, Investigating officer Det Con Adam Blackwell of the South Operation Raptor team, said: “During this case we seized a vast quantity of cocaine and amphetamine, all of which were destined for the streets of our county.

“We will continue to leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of those attempting to supply drugs in our county. If you are involved in this type of activity then you can be assured that we will make sure you have no place to hide.”

Steve Ward, Independent councillor representing Pitsea southeast and an ex-police officer, said young people are particularly vulnerable to drug dealing.

He said: “Drug dealers target everyone, especially young people. The younger the better because they’re easier to manipulate into doing crime for them.

“Drugs tear up families and it ruins lives. When I was at school, a boy I knew got addicted to heroin at 12 and he dropped out of school. That was the last I heard of him.

“There’s another guy I went to school with, he had so much potential in him. He got really good grades, a lovely guy and he was really friendly. I remember he wanted to work in the trading business. But his girlfriend got him into drugs.

“He got involved in crime and in 1987 he shot a doorman and went to prison for ten years.

“We were all shocked by what happened. The last time I saw him, I was working as a policeman and he told me he had joined the dark side. He became an enforcer for a crime syndicate. I missed the guy I used to know. It’s a terrible shame.”

The sentencing comes as Essex Police is stepping up its action against those involved in gang crime and the illegal drugs trade with the launch of Operation Essex.