TWO men have been jailed for possession of cannabis worth more than £1million, found in their van by police.

James Bailey, 37, of Henshawe Road, Dagenham, was jailed for five years for possessing cannabis and amphetamine with intent to supply and producing a controlled drug.

Co-accused Andrew Fraser, 49, of Green Lane, Ilford, was jailed for five years and two months for possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Police carrying out routine stop-checks discovered half a tonne of cannabis resin when they stopped the two men in a Ford Transit van in Ockendon Road, North Ockendon, at about 12.30pm on May 20.

It had an estimated street value of about £1million, Basildon Crown Court was told.

Police following up the discovery later also recovered £300,000 of amphetamines in East London.

The pair were sentenced on Thursday, having denied the charges and been found guilty at an earlier hearing.

A police spokesman said: “The arrest of Bailey and Fraser was the result of a routine stop check by officers.

“This case demonstrates how important it is for officers to be out in our communities and act on their instincts.

“As a result a substantial amount of illegal drugs was taken off the streets.”