A drug dealer caught with 16 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine has been jailed for more than four years.

Carl Jervis, 34, was stopped by police who were out on patrol in St James Road, Braintree, after they spotted his suspicious vehicle.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how in December 2016, approaching officers from the North Operation Raptor team saw Jervis clench his fist as he attempted to hide the wraps of Class A drugs he was holding.

He was searched by the officers, along with his car, and was found to have 16 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, £235 in cash and a mobile phone which contained evidence linking him to drug supply.

Jervis of St Mary’s Road, Leyton, was arrested and charged with two counts of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, obstructing a police constable and money laundering.

He was found guilty after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court and was jailed for four-and-a-half-years.

Following the sentencing, Sgt Andy Stott of the North Operation Raptor team said: “If you are attempting to sell drugs on the streets of our county, it’s only a matter of time before you can expect to meet Operation Raptor.

“We know where our dealers operate, who they associate with and the vehicles they drive.

“It was clear to us straight-away that Jervis was supplying drugs from his car and he was found with a substantial amount of crack and heroin.

“Now he has four-and-a-half years behind bars to think about, not only his actions, but a new career on the right side of the law when he gets out.”

Jervis was sentenced on Wednesday April 18 at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the north, south and west of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

Anyone with information about drug or gang-related crime should contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.