ELIZABETHTOWN -- A Witherbee man who authorities said was a key drug dealer in southern Essex County is headed to state prison for 10 years.

Bryan K. Platero, 51, of Silver Hill Road, Witherbee, had pleaded guilty in February to felony third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

He appeared in Essex County Court this week and was sentenced by Judge Richard Meyer to 10 years in state prison.

He must also serve three years on parole and pay restitution of $913 in drug-buy money to the State Police and fees and surcharges of $320.

Platero has been in the Essex County Jail without bail. He was sent back to the jail to await transfer to a state correctional facility.

Platero was arrested following an undercover operation by the Essex County Drug Task Force. Police said they tracked Platero selling cocaine on three occasions in June 2007 at various locations in the Town of Moriah.

As part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to a single charge.

County Sheriff Henry Hommes said a stiff sentence for Platero is a deterrent.

"I hope this sends a clear message that dealing drugs in Essex County will not be tolerated. People have no idea how much time and money goes into a case like this nor how many lives are affected by these drug dealers. It is very gratifying to see a sentence such as this."

County District Attorney Julie Garcia said her office has worked closely with the Essex County Drug Task Force "to go after criminals who are polluting our county with drugs."

She praised Meyer for his stance at sentencing.

"The 10-year prison term handed down by Judge Meyer will go a long way to deter this kind of criminal conduct. Eventually, drug dealers will get the message that we are not fooling around here -- selling drugs in Essex County will eventually land them in a New York state prison."

State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Robert LaFountain commended Garcia and her staff for putting Platero behind bars for a long time.

"We collectively work together to apprehend and convict those people responsible for selling drugs in our communities."

Platero has a previous felony conviction for driving while intoxicated and was given a harsher sentence as a predicate felony offender.