Drug runners jailed after caught using guest house as base

Two drug runners who used a Southend guest house as a base for selling heroin and crack cocaine have been jailed.

Officers from Essex Police’s Operation Raptor unit, which is dedicated to tackling county lines drug dealing, secured the sentences against 22-year-old Justice Oyedokun and 21-year-old Deviston Francis.

The pair were runners for the ‘Shadow’ drug line, which brought Class A drugs from London to Southend.

On 21 May this year, officers were on patrol in Southend when they spotted a large group of people congregating near an alleyway.

The officers observed Francis leaving a nearby guest house and walking towards the group.

Due to suspicions around reported drug dealing in the area, officers stopped Francis and detained him for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A small, plastic pot containing 40 wraps of Class A drugs was seized.

Francis tried to claim to officers the substance was “sugar” and that he was an “entrepreneur”.

A phone, which was continuously ringing, was also seized alongside a sum of cash.

The guest house was subsequently searched and Oyedokun was detained inside.

Further quantities of Class A drugs and cash totalling £1,825 were seized from the property.

Oyedokun, of no fixed address, admitted possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and possessing criminal property.

Francis, of no fixed address, admitted possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

Both appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 20 September, where each was jailed for 32 months.

Detective Sergeant Rob Maile, of Op Raptor South, said: “Our investigation established the two runners, both from outside Essex, had stayed in a guest house in the area for the purposes of supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Southend.

“This is one of the emerging tactics we are seeing drugs gangs employ.

“But as this case proves, it is a tactic with little value, as it places no limits on our ability to trace, monitor and carry out enforcement against those we know to be involved in Class A drug supply.

“Drug dealers have very little room for manoeuvre in Essex.

“My team see, all too often, the harm these substances cause and the violence which stems from this awful trade.

“We’re more active than ever in building cases against the drug lines running these substances from London into our county.

“I would also call on those who own and run guest houses or holiday homes to take steps, as best they can, to be aware of the activity being perpetrated at their properties.”

Worried about a friend?

Are you worried that a friend or someone you know may be being exploited through County Lines or organised criminal activity?

Maybe they are returning home late, staying out all night or even going missing for days or weeks at a time.

Are they suddenly being secretive about who they are talking to or where they are going?

Or perhaps you’ve noticed they have large amounts of money on them, or new clothing, jewellery or phones they wouldn’t be able to afford.

Through Fearless, young people can pass on information 100% anonymously to get help.

If you need help from police, call 101 or, if it's an emergency, always call 999.

Where can you get help?

Keeping people safe is at the heart of what Essex Police does.

According to Essex Police: “Drugs are illegal for a very real reason. They are dangerous and cause real harm.

We would urge people not to take any illegal substance. You can never be sure what you are taking.

There is help available from local drug addiction services. We urge users to reach out to them.

You can find a list of local organisations offering specialist drug recovery support services on our referral services page.”