A drug dealer who was found with class A drugs in his car worth a street value of around £12,000 has been jailed for more than five and-a-half years.

Marco Lincoln, who is linked to the Troy county drugs line, was stopped in a white Mercedes A Class in London Road, South Benfleet at around 1.45am on Thursday, January 31.

When officers searched his vehicle they found a large amount of heroin and crack cocaine inside.

Officers also seized three mobile phones believed to be linked to the supply of drugs.

Following the stop, searches were carried out an address in Lambeth, London, where officers found items including a small amount of cannabis and thousands of pounds in cash.

Lincoln, 36, of Vassall Road, London, was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and admitted the offences at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison.

Investigating officer Det Con Sandy Greenway, from Essex Police’s South Operation Raptor team, said: “Marco Lincoln had thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs in his car – drugs destined for the streets of Essex.

“These drugs would have caused serious harm to our communities. Class A drugs are a scourge on our communities leading to addiction, further crime and violence.

“I’m delighted we’ve prevented these drugs from being sold and Lincoln is facing the next few years behind bars.”

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 and gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also share information online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information