A BASILDON dealer who was snared by undercover police has been jailed after being found with 116 wraps of Class A drugs and £200 in cash.

Jaiden Green, 22, of Southernhay, Basildon was jailed at Southend Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard how the plainclothed police went to the compass underpass, near Nethermayne, on July 10 as it was a “known area for drug dealing”.

Prosecuting, Harry Hewitt said: “Police saw various known drug users at the underpass, which is a known area for drug dealing, and expected to see a drug dealer.

“The defendant and other men walked through the underpass.

"He was stopped and asked if has drugs or weapons and admitted he has drugs and a burner phone.

“The phone had messages for drug deals on it. He also had two bags with 16 wraps of Class A drugs another 100 wraps of Class A drugs.

“He had £175 in cash and another £25 in cash. He has 15 previous convictions, including having a bladed article, theft and possession of cannabis.”

Mitigating, Christopher Martin, told the court, his client has learning difficulties. He said: “He has intelligence issues and various diagnosis for learning difficulties.

“He has low levels of cognitive function and extremely low IQ and he had difficulties with intelligence too.

“He is vulnerable in that respect quite clearly and is the sort of person who would be easily targeted by those who wish to take advantage.”

Sentencing, Recorder Ben Irwin said: “This is an Essex Police Operation Raptor. As part of it, plainclothes officers were on patrol in Basildon town centre at about midday.

“I note the diagnosis for autism and mental health issues, which were made later in life.

“I’ve also seen good references from the prison and he says he was under pressure to work like this.

“He’s due to become a dad for the first time and wants to be a family and make a good home for the child.”

He admitted possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin.

He was jailed for two years and four months