A DRUG dealing gang, supplying heroin and crack on the streets of Basildon, has been jailed for a collective 20 years.

Basildon Crown Court heard how on September 10 last year police officers stopped a car in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea containing 23-year-old Jeffrey Goodwin.

They searched the car and found a wrap of heroin, digital scales and mobile phones linking him to the supply of class A drugs. Goodwin, of no fixed abode, was arrested.

In December, officers from the Operation Raptor team were again patrolling on High Road, Pitsea when they became suspicious of a vehicle, thought to be linked to drug supply, driven by 28-year-old Marley Jeffery.

Jeffrey, who parked the vehicle and fled, did not have a valid driving licence and was not displaying L Plates. On the same day officers, as part of their continued search for Jeffery, raided a home in Moretons, Pitsea.

Inside they found mobile phones linking him to dealing, cannabis and drug paraphernalia including plastic wrappings.

The mobile phones also linked 33-year-old Mario Santos to the drug supply gang and he was also arrested by Raptor officers in Basildon on the same day.

The investigation linked a fourth man to the gang and 21-year-old Charlie Jeffery of Stagden Cross, Basildon was arrested in February this year.

All four were charged and appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

Goodwin admitted possession with intent to supply heroin, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. He was jailed for five years and given six penalty points on his provisional licence. Santos, of HMP Chelmsford, admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of crack and heroin and was jailed for five years.

Marley Jeffrey of Stagden Cross, Basildon was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack, driving without insurance and driving other than in accordance with a licence. He was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Charlie Jeffrey admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of crack and heroin and possession of cannabis. He was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

PC Dan Onley said: “There is no doubt these men were intent on supplying crack and heroin on the streets of Basildon. What they didn’t bank on was that Operation Raptor were one step behind them. If you think you can deal drugs on the streets of our county, think again.”