A MAN has been charged after a stop and search in Harlow led to the discovery of substantial amounts of cash and Class A drugs.

Officers from Harlow Local Policing Team were responding to an incident on Tuesday 11 February when they spotted a man acting suspiciously nearby and decided to search him.

During that search, they discovered £11,000 in cash, 200 grams of cocaine and two mobile phones.

He was immediately arrested and brought to Harlow Police Station while the job was passed to the Harlow Op Raptor team who investigate gang-related crime.

They quickly identified an address of interest and conducted a search where they found a further 580 grams of cocaine, £15,000 in cash, a zombie-style knife and equipment associated with the preparation and distribution of drugs.

It is estimated the drugs seized would have a street value in excess of £20,000.

Marshall Bartram, 23, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug, and possession of criminal property.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 13 February where he was remanded in custody until hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 13 March.

Detective Inspector Richard Trower said: “This was superb instinctive police work. Despite being unrelated to the incident the officers has been called to, the man’s behaviour gave them grounds to conduct a search.

“Across the force we are working to dismantle drug gangs and arrest the individuals involved. Drug dealing spreads misery, damages communities and is inextricably linked with serious violence and exploitation.

“By taking drugs off the streets and confiscating the money that is the lifeblood of the criminal networks, we are severely limiting their ability to operate.”