A drug dealer has been sent to prison for 18 months after being caught dealing heroin on the streets of Braintree.

Twenty-year-old Hamza Kerbouba, from London was arrested in Chelmer Road, Braintree on December 12 last year. He was detained and searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and was found to have 9gms of heroin concealed on him, the equivalent of about 90 street deals.

Following interview he was charged with possession with intent to supply and pleaded guilty to the charge at Basildon Crown Court in August.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday.

A police spokesman said: "To anyone dealing drugs in Essex this makes clear exactly what the position of Essex police is.

"This result mirrors the objectives we set ourselves in our recently launched campaign to raise awareness of drugs use, Crack Under Pressure.

"We will identify people bringing drugs into our county and we will tackle them with all and any means we have at our disposal."

Published Tuesday September 21, 2004