DRUG lords have admitted their roles in an operation which unearthed nearly £70,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine.

The four men, including the head of a drugs line, aided the distribution of the drugs across Southend.

Jason Balding, who headed up the drugs line, Daniel Deadman, Gary Salvin, and Tony Carter all admitted drug offences when they appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

All four men were arrested by specialist drugs officers across Southend and in Grays on Saturday April 10.

Essex Police have now revealed the extent of the drugs found in the properties.

A spokesman said: "Thanks to the level of evidence accumulated by our officers, we were able to charge each of them.

"During our searches of the men’s homes, we seized 152g of cannabis from Balding’s address, 11.2g of cannabis from Salvin’s address, 1.8g of cocaine and 1.12g of cannabis from Deadman’s address and five wraps of cocaine marked ‘30’ and four wraps of cocaine marked ’60.

"The drugs have a potential value of up to £5,988 and we also seized £2,650 in cash.

"We also later searched a garage belonging to Balding and found cocaine worth about £60,000.

"Our investigation also found there were 7,000 WhatsApp messages exchanged on the drugs line."

Balding, 40, of Thames Close, Southend, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Daniel Deadman, 32, of Sherwood Way, Southend, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and possession of a Class A drug.

Gary Salvin, 41, of Biggin Lane, Tilbury, admitted admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Tony Carter, 38, of Albany Avenue, Westcliff, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine.

They will be sentenced at a later date.