A DRUG kingpin and his henchmen who ran a cocaine and cannabis operation between Southend and London have been locked up.

Garth Tulloch along with henchmen Marcus Moses-Cairnes and Ahamefuna Anukam were caught dealing in Leigh and Benfleet within hours of each other.

The trio were running the "Tommy" County Line operation which saw the dealing of cocaine and cannabis between east London and Southend.

The gang were snared following a joint operation between Essex Police's Operation Raptor team and the Metropolitan Police.

The first drug deal took place in a car in Elm Road, Leigh on December 4 last year.

A few hours later, another suspected deal took place in The Chase, Benfleet.

Op Raptor officers stopped the car and arrested the trio.

Moses-Cairnes was found with 19 wraps of cocaine on him and more cocaine and cannabis was found during a search of a house in Eastwoodberry Crescent, Southend, which all three had been occupying.

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In total, drugs with a total street value of around £9,500 were seized.

A mobile phone found in the car had a draft text message advertising drug deals with 24-hour delivery, as well other messages from customers.

Basildon Crown Court heard Tulloch held the drugs line phone, Moses-Cairns was in possession of the drugs, and Anukam was the car driver.

All were working together from the house in Eastwoodberry Crescent.

Moses-Cairnes and Tulloch admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Anukam admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis

Moses-Cairnes, 28, of Rixsen Road, Manor Park, was jailed for four years and nine months. Tulloch, 27, of Framlingham Close, Clapton, was jailed for three years and four months.

Anukam, 27, of Iris Close, Ilford, was jailed for a year and eight months.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Drugs are linked to violence, exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults, and other crimes such as burglary, theft and sexual offences.

"That’s why Essex Police relentlessly pursues drug dealers and suppliers - so we can protect people from harm.

"If you have information about drug dealing in your area, please tell us, as every bit of evidence helps us with our investigations so we can take these criminals off our streets."

Call 101 or visit essex.police.uk.