A MAN was arrested in Grays on on suspicion of drug driving and possession with intent to supply class B drugs, during a police roads operation.

Essex Roads Policing Unit took part in an Eastern region operation held in partnership with Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing, as well as, Essex Casualty Reduction Section and Norfolk and Suffolk Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit.

The aim of the operation was to reduce the number of road casualties by targeting motoring offences likely to cause collisions and to disrupt criminality.

On Thursday, June 15, the operation in Essex took place in Thurrock and officers identified and stopped a range of motorists suspected of crime and other offences.

The results from the day included the arrest of the 54-year-old man from London on suspicion of drug driving and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

He was taken to Grays police station and has been released under police bail.

Officers also reported two disqualified drivers and a further 10 were reported for not wearing a seatbelt.

The use of mobile phones while driving was still evident with three drivers being reported for using a phone behind the wheel.

Further reported incidents included four vehicles with the tyres below the legal limit of 1.6mm, four without MOT, three without insurance, two displaying non-conforming number plates and four vehicles were seized.

A number of fines were given out totalling £2550, six were given to overweight vehicles and six to those with with drivers hours offences.

HMRC fuel dippers were also involved with 22 vehicles checked resulting in one positive test for red diesel, which requires further enquiries.

Operational tasking supervisor Matt Hine said: “This is a great result from a busy day where a number of driving offences were reported. Drivers using a mobile phone behind the wheel are four times more likely to crash and pose a real threat to themselves and other road users.

“For those stopped not wearing a seatbelt the statistics speak for themselves as they show you are twice as likely to die compared to those who are wearing one. Essex Police do not tolerate this behaviour and will continue to take the necessary action to ensure our roads are a safer place to be.”