A drug dealer who was jailed for seven years after he was caught with 81 wraps of cocaine and heroin in Essex has been ordered to pay a £155 confiscation order.

A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday (November 25) heard that 37-year-old

Menelik Edwards’ benefit from his criminal behaviour was £8,405.

However, Benedict Peers, prosecuting, said Menelik’s available assets were only £155 which was cash seized from him by police when he was arrested.

Recorder Darren Reed made a confiscation order in the sum of £155 and ordered Edwards to pay a £181 victim surcharge.

Menelik of Nine Acres Close, Manor Park, London, admitted two offences of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and one offence of possession of class B drugs and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court in March this year.

Edwards was arrested in Clacton on September 12, 2019, by officers from Essex Police's Operation Raptor – which aims to disrupt county lines drug activity.

A total of 81 wraps of class A drugs were found with Edwards' DNA on them, the court heard.

The court heard that Edwards had a previous conviction for kidnapping as well as two previous drug dealing charges.