A drug dealer who threatened to stab officers and spat at them as he was arrested has been jailed for four years.

Basildon Crown Court heard 22-year-old Abdi Abdirazak also tried to bite officers after they found him with 32 wraps of Class A drugs on June 13 last year.

Following a tip-off that drug dealing was taking place in Hazlemere, Pitsea officers searched the area where they spotted Abdirazak stood next to a car acting suspiciously.

As they approached him, he ran off, running up a flight of stairs where he was seen to throw a plastic bag before threatening to stab officers. He was taken to the ground by officers where he continued to make threats, tried to bite the officers and repeatedly spat at them.

He was arrested and the bag he threw was recovered which was found to contain 11 wraps of crack cocaine and 21 wraps of heroin.

Abdirazak of Bombay Street, Bermondsey, London was searched and was also found to have £1,156 in cash and two mobile phones linking him to the supply of Class A drugs.

In relation to this incident Abdirazak was charged with two count of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Months later, on November 16 the same year, officers from the South Operation Raptor were patrolling when they spotted Abdirazak driving in a hire car along London Road, Vange.

They stopped the car and carried out a search where they found two mobile phones again linking Abdirazak to the supply of Class A drugs.

He was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug in connection with this incident.

On June 7 this year officers once again attempted to stop Abdirazak as he was driving a vehicle in Ghyllgrove Close, Basildon.

He failed to stop but was later found with the Audi in Rayside, Basildon. Abdirazak was searched and found with £235 in cash and mobile phones linking him to the supply of Class A drugs.

He was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs in connection with this incident.

Abdirazak pleaded guilty to all six charges when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court and was jailed for four years.

Following the sentencing Sgt Ben Woollard of the South Operation Raptor team said: “Abdirazak repeatedly showed his disregard for the law and the community and, despite being repeatedly arrested in connection with dealing Class A drugs, he continued his criminal exploits.

“He also violently attacked two of our officers as they tried to arrest him.

“There is absolutely no doubt he is where he belongs, behind bars, and Operation Raptor will continue to ensure we lock up other ruthless, violent drug dealers like him.”

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

Abdirazak was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday August 15.