A DRUG dealer caught with more than 100 wraps of Class A drugs with a street value of more than £1,000 has been jailed for nearly three years.

Basildon Crown Court heard on January 5 last year, officers from the South Operation Raptor team executed a warrant at a flat in Swanage Road, Southend.

Inside the flat they found 52-year-old Thomas Gibson who immediately told officers he had drugs in a purse by his bed.

Officers carried out a search of the purse and found Class A drugs including 49 wraps of heroin and 55 of crack cocaine.

Gibson, of Devereux Road, Southend was arrested, charged and later admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

He was jailed for two years and eight months at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday May 7.

Following the sentencing, a spokesman for the South Operation Raptor team said: “There is absolutely no doubt that Gibson was actively involved in the supply of Class A drugs.

“He was found with a significant amount of Class A drugs including crack cocaine with a purity of 76 per cent, which is extremely strong and undoubtedly could have a significant impact on those taking it.

“Fortunately those drugs are now off of our streets and Gibson is behind bars where he belongs.”

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 in their community can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.