Delivery driver found with suspected drugs arrested

The 46-year-old suspect remains in custody, Essex Police said

A delivery driver was arrested after being caught with a substantial amount of what was believed to be Class A drugs and £2,000 in cash, police said.

The items were found when the suspect, a 46-year-old man, was stopped on Salisbury Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, on Wednesday afternoon.

Essex Police said during a later raid of his home, in Westcliff-on-Sea, officers found a "viable firearm" and ammunition.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and taken into custody.

In total, officers found more than 80 wraps of suspected drugs in the delivery driver's possession.

All items, including the firearm, were seized and inquiries have continued.

"This is a significant arrest and one which opens a number of investigative lines of inquiry which we'll be pursuing," said Det Sgt Matt Howarth.