A drug dealer who was caught with £70,000 worth of cannabis in his car during a routine traffic stop has been jailed.

Edmond Gaxha, of Seymour Gardens, Ilford, was jailed for nine months at Basildon Crown Court on Friday for possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply.

The court heard how on November 9 last year, officers from Essex Police stopped Gaxha’s vehicle in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, due to a potential traffic offence.

However, the officers got more than they bargained for when a search of the 24-year-old’s car uncovered cannabis with a street value of around £70,000 stashed in the boot.

A quantity of money also found in the vehicle during the search was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Following the sentencing, PC Alex Farr, from Southend Local Policing Team, said: “Stopping this car for a traffic offence has led to the removal of a large amount of drugs and an offender from the streets.

“We will not tolerate drug dealing in our community.”