Following investigations by Essex Police’s team of officers dedicated to busting drug dealing gangs - “Operation Raptor,” a 24-year-old man who employed children to run crack cocaine and heroin has been jailed.
“Operation Raptor” officers, who target county lines selling Class A drugs in Essex, secured a conviction against Liam Atkins – who was linked to the ‘Pedro’ drugs line, which was identified following the review of a Class A drug user’s telephone.
Liam Atkins
Jailed - Liam Atkins
It was found to be supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Southend from 23 October 2023.
Raptor’s investigation into the line encompassed analysis of CCTV, surveillance of those involved and analysis of mobile telephones.
Throughout the investigation, it was identified two children had been enlisted to work for the line.
On Tuesday 23 January 2024, a warrant was executed at Atkins’ address in Ashanti Close, Shoeburyness, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Cash was seized along with the drug line phone.
Class A drugs seized during the course of the investigation into the Pedro line 1
Class A drugs seized during the course of the investigation into the Pedro line
Class A drugs seized during the course of the investigation into the Pedro line
Class A drugs seized during the course of the investigation into the Pedro line
On his personal phone, officers found messages relating to sourcing juveniles to run drugs for the operation.
Atkins was charged with and admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Basildon Crown Court was told Atkins had actively tried to recruit young people into the operation.
At a sentencing hearing on Friday 28 June, the court heard Atkins had sole control of the line across the period of the police investigation.
It was accepted, although others may have been involved at a level above Atkins, he held a management role in the operation.
It was taken as an aggravating factor that he used children to deliver drugs.
Atkins was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
Cash seized during the course of the investigation into the Pedro line
Cash seized during the course of the investigation into the Pedro line
Acting Detective Inspector Rob Maile, of Op Raptor South, said: “A common feature we find time and time again in these cases is the distancing of those at the top of the line from the active running and selling of drugs on the street.
“The dangerous and risky work is undertaken by those they can either exploit or enlist with the, often false, promise of financial gain or reward.
“Sadly, this often leads to the recruitment of children, who are either easily influenced or coerced into working with those holding the drug line phone.
“We are working hard to address this cruel reality. We have specialist safeguarding officers within Operation Raptor, who work with education and criminal justice partners to identify those being exploited.
“Children coerced or threatened into running drugs for lines like the ‘Pedro’ line will be treated as victims.
“Those committed to criminality and exploiting others will be dealt with using the full powers available to us.
“The courts rightly take a strict stance on those involved in organised drug dealing.”