MEMBERS of a drugs line operating between London and Southend have been jailed for a total of more than 12 years. 

Essex Police cracked the so-called ‘Drops’ line, which ran Class A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin, to the streets of Southend. 

The main line holder, Gagandeep Sehmi, 23, was jailed for six years at Basildon Crown Court on March 8 but four others were jailed on Friday.

Four offenders identified as drug runners included Lisa Samuels, 38, of Coleman Street, Southend, Michael Webb, 35, of Coleman Street, Southend, Jay Brown, 35, of Whitegate Road, Southend, and Abdullah Khan, 22 of Kilmartin Road, Ilford.

They are now behind bars.

Over a period of two weeks, 645 bulk messages advertising drugs were sent out using pre-paid SIM cards in burner phones. 

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According to Essex Police, the line was active between September 2022 and April last year. 

Sehmi, of Aberdour Road, Ilford, was arrested at his address where six packs of crack cocaine and heroin, an estimated 600 wraps with a potential street value of around £6,000, as well as £3,500 in cash were found.

He was sentenced to six years in prison, while Samuels and Webb received a sentence of two years suspended for two years and 18 months respectively, Khan a sentence of 18 months and Brown received 13 months suspended for 18 months when they appeared at Basildon Crown Court. 

All defendants pleaded guilty to all charges at Basildon Crown Court, Samuels was already tried in December 2023, Khan in February, and Webb, Brown and Sehmi on March 8.

Det Sgt Rob Maile, of Op Raptor South, said: “Our continuing work to stop harmful drugs reaching the streets of Southend and wider Essex is a dedicated focus throughout the year. 

“But this result comes during a national crackdown on county line offenders, so it is right we take this opportunity to reflect on why dismantling these groups is important. 

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“They rely on the exploitation of vulnerable people, including those hooked on highly addictive and damaging substances. 

“They bring misery to our communities in the form of anti-social behaviour associated with drug dealing and violence. 

“Friday’s sentencing hearing marks the final step in shutting down this longstanding drug line operating in Southend and will be a welcome result for the community. 

“But we are not complacent and continue to work harder than ever to crack down on county lines groups, including our work with partners and our own safeguarding officers to bring exploited people out of a life of crime and violence.”