Police are continuing to probe the activities of a man arrested on Friday in the Maldon area but despite believing him to be an immigration absconder he has been released on bail.

The incident began to unfold on Friday evening (25 November) when Maldon Town Team officers were patrolling the route from Purleigh to Maldon when they stopped a silver Vauxhall Astra in a lay-by on Fambridge Road

He was detained for a search and subsequently arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A Drugs after he was found in possession of a large sum of cash (over £1k) and some suspected drugs were found discarded right next to his car.

Further enquiries also identified that he was wanted by immigration for absconding from detention back in 2021.

An investigation is under way into the drug supply offence and police say they now need to conduct forensic analysis as well as seek advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

The man has been bailed to return to the police station, though police say he is: "Now firmly on the radar of immigration."