FOUR people have been sentenced for their involvement in supplying Class A drugs on the streets of Southend.

Basildon Crown Court was told how, on May 15 last year, officers from the Southend Operation Raptor team were patrolling Napier Avenue in Southend.

They spotted 37-year-old Colin Stewart on a bicycle who, on noticing them, shouted up to a first-floor window to tell the occupants police were outside.

The officers heard a loud noise which they believed to be a loft ladder coming down. They went inside where they found 36-year-old Tara Rogers hiding inside. They searched the loft and found numerous wraps of Class A drugs. Stewart and Rogers, both of Napier Avenue, were arrested.

As part of their continued investigation into the pair the Southend Operation Raptor executed a warrant at a property in Napier Avenue, Southend on October 4 last year.

As they entered they found two drug dealers sat at a table cutting, weighing and preparing wraps of the Class A drugs crack and heroin.

Louise Utton, 25 of Benets Road, Southend, was in charge of the heroin. On a table in front of her she had: a large bag of heroin; six open wraps of the drug on the table; heroin being weighed on the scales; and a container next to her on the sofa containing 61 wraps of the Class A drug.

Robbie Sharp, 34, of Napier Avenue, Southend, was in charge of the crack cocaine and on a table in front of him he had: a Tupperware box containing 102 wraps of crack cocaine; a plate and razor with white powder; and mobile phones which contained evidence of drug dealing.

Tara Rogers, who was the tenant of the flat, was found hiding in her bedroom where she was also found with mobile phones linking her to drug supply.

Sharp was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, two counts of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and acquiring criminal property. He was jailed for seven years.

Stewart was charged and admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He was jailed for four years.

Utton was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and was given a two-year suspended jail term.

Rogers was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and was also given a two-year suspended sentence.

Following the sentencing an Essex Police spokesperson said: “This is an excellent result with four people, all of whom were actively involved in the supply of Class A drugs in Southend, convicted and sentenced and a significant amount of drugs removed from our streets.”

“Our Operation Raptor teams will continue to proactively hunt down all those who think they can deal drugs on the streets of our county. We will continue to make sure they have no place to hide.”

Essex Police set up Operation Raptor teams in the North, South and West of the county to tackle those involved in drug and gang-related crime.

If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The sentencing took place on Thursday July 12.