Drug dealer in South Woodham Ferrers arrested after public reported him
Police say they value community intelligence
A drug dealer has been arrested after members of the public reported his activities in South Woodham Ferrers to police.
After 21-year-old Vison Tahiaraj was jailed on 3 February for two years and one month for possession with intent to supply cocaine, Sergeant Matt Dalby, of Maldon Neighbourhood Policing Team, said officers rely on information from the public to assist their investigations.
He said:
“Tahiaraj was seen repeatedly driving into a car park and picking up items from a parked car there. Members of the public felt it was suspicious and rang police.
“Officers attended promptly and searched the parked car, revealing several lumps of cocaine in a large black washbag.
“Happily, Tahiaraj returned and officers arrested him after they found a large grey sock containing wraps of cocaine and a baseball bat in his car.
“This case shows the value of community intelligence. We’ve been able to take another drug dealer off the streets because people have told us what they know.”
Tahiaraj, from Tillotson Road in Edmonton, London, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 3 February.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
A second related charge was left on file. He also admitted to driving while disqualified on Collingwood Road in South Woodham Ferrers and to failing to attend a previous court hearing.
In addition to the prison sentence, Tahiaraj was disqualified from driving for 12 months and received penalty points on his licence.
The court also ordered that the drugs and a baseball bat be confiscated and destroyed, and approved the seizure of a mobile phone and cash taken from him at the time of his arrest.