Two men have been arrested as a result of vehicle stops by officers from Essex Police's Operational Support Group.

In total, the two separate arrests have led officers to seize more than £40,000 in cash as well as a significant amount of what is believed to be Class A and Class B drugs and a number of electronic items.

As part of a routine traffic stop, officers stopped an Audi being driven by a man at Sadlers Farm roundabout shortly after 8.15pm on Friday, 29 December.

As a result of that engagement, officers then had further cause to search the car and subsequently located more than £11,000 in cash as well as multiple mobile phones.

The driver, a 31-year-old man from Tilbury, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and money laundering.

During a further search of the man's home, officers also found a total of £33,890 in cash, which was also seized.

In the early hours of Saturday, 30 December, officers became suspicious of a white Honda moped travelling into Canvey Island.

The vehicle was stopped outside Canvey Golf Club and a search was carried out.

As a result, officers located a quantity of what is believed to be Class B drugs.

During a further search in custody, officers also uncovered cash, what's believed to be Class A drugs and a mobile phone of interest.

A 24-year-old man from Southend was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and drug driving.

Chief Inspector Richard Baxter, who leads the Operational Support Group (OSG), said: "Each night, officers from OSG are on duty across the county to target people who we believe are causing harm to our communities.

"These examples show the extent officers will go to in order to keep the public safe whilst the rest of us are safely tucked up in bed."