A drug dealer has been jailed for three years and three months following a six-month designated operation by Essex Police.

Lekan Awosika, 29, of no fixed address, received concurrent sentences at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, December 6 for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

He previously pleaded guilty to the offences.

His accomplice, Pedro Noba, 18, of Green Street, Forest Gate, was found guilty of the same offences on Thursday, November 7 of the same offences following a trial.

He was convicted in his absence and there is a warrant outstanding for his arrest. Noba has links to Hertfordshire, London and Essex.

Donna Thomas, 45, of Fox Crescent, Chelmsford, received two years suspended for two years at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, June 27 for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.

She was ordered to complete 40 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and Drug Rehabilitation Requirement for 12 months.

On Tuesday, April 2, police were deployed to Chelmsford to locate class A drug dealers.

At around 1pm they become aware of drug activity in the Fox Crescent area before they were approached by Thomas, who believed they were potential purchasers.

These officers remained in the area and saw Thomas sell drugs to a man and she was arrested before having cash and a phone seized.

Officers searched her home before arresting Awosika and Noba. Awosika was found in a bedroom and Noba fled from a bathroom window before he was found in a neighbouring garden.

Drugs, equipment associated with drug dealing and phones from the property were then seized.

Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes said: “We launched a designated operation in Chelmsford in spring this year and we made a number of arrests. We have since had a number of results through the courts.

“Awosika, Noba and Thomas were arrested in conjunction with this operation and have been convicted.

“Noba failed to turn up to his own trial and he was convicted in his absence. We continue to look for him and once he is found, he will be sent to prison.

"Awosika has been sent to prison for dealing drugs in our community.

“This particular operation looked at the vehicle movements of suspected drug dealers.

“The message is clear, we will do everything we can to track down and arrest drug dealers before putting them before the courts.”