ESSEX Police are selling a drug dealer’s car but more than £10,000 in criminal gains will then be written off.

Mario Santos is serving a five year sentence having been concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

The 33-year-old was part of a four-man drug dealing gang that dealt class A drugs in Basildon.

The gang were apprehended after police carried out raids in September and December 2018.

Santos, of HMP Chelmsford, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, designed to claim the money back he earned from dealing.

The court heard that the total amount Santos received a total of £15,922 from his crimes.

However, his total assets - a car already seized by the police - is worth £4,300.11.

The Crown Prosecution Service and representation for Santos agreed this would be an acceptable fee for him to pay whilst he serves his time.

Judge Andrew Hurst said: “I have been invited to see the criminal benefit of £15,972 and the available amount already in the possession of the police is £4,300.11.

“The car is already in the hands of the police and he is in custody serving his sentence. That’s the end of the financial side of this. I know you have been hanging on for it, but it’s been resolved that the police will sell your car.”

Marley Jeffrey, Charlie Jeffrey, and Jeffrey Goodwin were all jailed for being part of the same gang as Santos.

Goodwin, 23, of no fixed abode, admitted possession with intent to supply the Class A drug heroin, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance and jailed for five years. Marley Jeffrey, 28, of Stagden Cross, Basildon was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and driving offences. He was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Charlie Jeffrey, 21, of no fixed abode admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs and was jailed for three-and-a-half years.