A ‘BRAZEN’ drug dealer who offered multi-buy deals to drug addicts has been jailed for more than two and a half years.

Thomas Symons, 25, was arrested as part of an operation by Essex Police’s drugs team who were executing a warrant when he was found with drugs, cash and a phone linking him to dealing.

Following the sentencing investigating officer PC Mark Fulbrook of the South Operation Raptor team said: “It was clear from the evidence we gathered that he was clearly heavily involved in the supply of Class A drugs, even brazenly offering those with addictions multi-buy deals.

“Dealers like Symons are ruthless and they prey on those with addictions in our communities to line their own pockets.

“Fortunately for the community, but unfortunately for criminals like Symons, Operation Raptor are only ever one step away and we will continue to hunt down those dealers and put them behind bars where they belong.”

On April 16, Basildon Crown Court heard how officers from the South Operation Raptor team were preparing to carry out a raid on a flat in Waldringfield, Pitsea on January 30.

The team were acting on information they had received from concerned members of the community.

As the officers approached they saw Thomas Symons, 25, acting suspiciously and he ran off only to be caught a few moments later.

Symons was searched and found in possession of a joint of cannabis, a mobile phone and £465 in cash.

Symons, of Scocles Road, Minster-on-Sea in Kent was charged with and admitted to two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possessing a Class B drug.

He was jailed for two years and eight months when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court last Tuesday.

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle drug and gang-related crime.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also share information online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org