THREE drug dealers who tried to flood the capital's streets with nearly a million ecstasy tablets have been jailed for a total of 33 years.

Justin Bird, 39, of Valley Close, Waltham Abbey, was arrested at Bluewater Shopping Centre in August 2006 after he was seen going into a metal shipping container used to store 855,000 ecstasy tablets and nearly 15kg of cocaine, worth £200,000.

A further 9,800 pills and 35g of cocaine were found in his car, and a search of his home yielded £50,000 in cash and small amounts of the drugs.

Bird also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply as well as four further counts of possession of cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.

Accomplice Jamie Droy, 31, of Barnsbury Park, Islington, was caught taking delivery of a holdall containing a further 43,000 pills, and received seven years.

"Top dog" George Stokes, 62, received 16 years yesterday (Friday) at Southwark Crown Court.