A DRUG dealer from Grays has been jailed for three years after officers found a large amount of cocaine in his car and home.

Joshua Tibble, 28, of Prince Phillip Avenue, was pulled over in Southend Road, Grays, at around 3.50pm on Sunday, July 2 last year, after he was found using his phone while driving.

Police searched his vehicle and found one cannabis joint in the door pocket, as well as three wraps of cocaine in a yoghurt tub in the back of the car.

They also seized a phone and hundreds of pounds in cash.

Tibble’s roadside test for drug driving came back positive and was taken to custody for questioning.

Police then searched Tibble’s home and found electronic weighing scales, a cutting knife, a mixing bowl, cocaine and thousands of pounds in cash in a bedroom draw.

A total of 48 grams of cocaine was seized from Tibble.

Investigating officer DS Scott Fitzmaurice, of Op Raptor West, said: “Tibble was clearly living beyond his means, having already had lavish holidays during the year to Thailand, Las Vegas, Ibiza, and Hamburg.

“A search of his home and car revealed his involvement in dealing drugs and it was only a matter of time until Tibble was caught.

“He will now spend time locked in a prison cell.”

He received three years for possession with intent to supply cocaine and seven days for possession for cannabis, to run concurrently, at Basildon Crown Court.

He was banned from driving for 15 months after he also admitted to drug driving and a confiscation order was made for £2,835.

Contact 101 with information, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or at crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/