A GANG member from London who came to Basildon to deal drugs has been put behind bars for three years.

Ahmed Soleman was arrested on November 23 last year after officers from Operation Raptor, a team set up to tackle drug dealing gangs, stopped and searched him in Basildon town centre.

The 25-year-old, of Fern Street, Tower Hamlets, London, was found to be carrying class A drugs and was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.

Officers discovered heroin with a street value of £110, crack cocaine worth £160 and almost £80 in cash.

Soleman was charged with one count of possession with intent to supply heroin and one count of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on August 12, 2016.

Soleman was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay £340 costs. The cash he was carrying when he was arrested was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Sgt Ben Woollard from Operation Raptor team said: "Operation Raptor teams have been created in the south, north and west local policing areas to detect and disrupt drug dealing gangs who come to Essex to deal drugs and cause violence.

"Ahmed Soleman was a member of a gang originating from London who thought he could come to Essex to sell heroin and crack cocaine. As a result of his actions he will now spend a significant period of time behind bars.

"Drug dealing ruins lives and causes unrest in our communities. We will continue working to bring to justice drug dealers but would ask anyone with information about dealing where they live to tell us either by calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”