A DRUG dealer caught with £13,000 worth of cocaine and £76,000 in cash has been jailed for six years - after being stopped by police for driving without insurance.

Christopher England, 54, of Felmores End, Basildon, was stopped while driving in Paycocke Road when police detected the car he was driving had no insurance.

He initially gave the officers a fake name when stopped but, once he confirmed he was in fact England, police discovered he was wanted after failing to appear at court, and that his vehicle was connected to drug dealing in the town.

He was arrested and a search of his car found ten mobile phones and two small bags of cocaine.

With evidence suggesting he was clearly involved in the supply of drugs, his home was also searched and police seized £13,000 worth of cocaine and £76,000 in cash, as well as scales and other paraphernalia connected to the sale and distribution of drugs

England was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and the possession of criminal property.

He was remanded in custody but refused to attend court for his trial at Basildon Crown Court in September, where a jury deliberated for just 30 minutes after a two-day trial to find him guilty of both charges.

He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on Friday.

After the sentencing, PC James Payne said: “After a long investigation it is satisfying that the jury has returned a guilty verdict for England and he has received a lengthy prison sentence

“Police have worked hard in order to take this drug dealer, intent on damaging the community with his actions, off the street

“It sends a clear message that this criminal activity won’t be tolerated in our county, and anyone intent on selling drugs in Essex will face justice.”