A DRUG dealer, who was part of a network supplying the Class A drug cocaine to recreational users across Brentwood, has been sentenced.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Acting on information from the community, we launched an investigation in February this year targeting dealers supplying cocaine to people in bars and pubs across Brentwood’s town centre at weekends.
We were supported by Brentwood Borough Council, which also provided additional resources to support the policing operation.
Our investigation was also supported by Home Office funding, which we secured for Operation Sceptre, our ongoing work across Essex to tackle serious violence in public spaces and knife crime.
Basildon Crown Court heard that 42-year-old Warren Ryan dealt drugs on two occasions in Brentwood in April this year.
Ryan, of Coal Court, Grays, was one of 18 people arrested following a series of dawn raids on Wednesday 12 June. These took place at properties across Brentwood, Ongar and Romford.
He was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying a Class A drug when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 19 July.
He was sentenced on Thursday 22 August to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years. Ryan was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Following the sentencing, Brentwood district commander Chief Insp Lewis Basford said: “All too often we see people who go out on a Friday and Saturday night and think it is acceptable to buy and take Class A drugs – it is not.
“Every single drug bought will be at the human cost of someone who has been exploited, harmed, threatened with violence or in some cases made to perpetrate violence.
“Children may be exploited, trafficked, threatened or hurt by dealers looking to flood the streets with their illegal wares.
“In the same way vulnerable people with drug addictions may also be forced or exploited into selling drugs.
“We’ve said it before but every single wrap of cocaine will be at the cost of someone’s blood and tears and we are asking people to think about that human cost the next time they think about buying it on a night out.
“In the meantime we will continue to protect and serve our communities and take the fight to ruthless dealers who think they can ply their trade on the streets of our county.”
Brentwood Borough Council Leader, Cllr Chris Hossack said: ““Our trained Corporate Enforcement Officers work closely with Essex Police and this ongoing work has produced some excellent results.
“Unfortunately the prevalence of drugs is responsible for all sorts of social problems, but thanks to Essex Police and indeed the Home Office regarding funding, drug dealers need to know we will not be deterred from our goal of stamping out dealing in Brentwood.
“I commend Chief Inspector Lewis Basford and his team for their tireless work in this area, and I am pleased to see the results coming through the justice system.
“It must be said that our residents play a key role too, by reporting illegal behaviour, this has contributed greatly to getting results.”
Ryan the latest individual arrested as part of the crackdown on Class A drugs in Brentwood to be sentenced.
The others include:
Jonathan Maughan, 23, of no fixed abode was jailed for 25 months at Basildon Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of supplying a Class A drug. Maughan, who was arrested in Rollason Way, Brentwood on Wednesday 12 June, dealt drugs on three occasions in Brentwood in March this year. He was sentenced on Wednesday 17 July.
Dennie Jones, 23 of Shortlands Avenue, Ongar was jailed for 25 months after pleading guilty to five counts of supplying a Class A drug and one count of offering to supply a Class B drug.
Jones, who was arrested in Rollason Way, Brentwood on Wednesday 12 June, dealt drugs on four occasions in Brentwood in March and April. He was sentenced on Wednesday 17 July.
Thomas Kemp, 33, of Clarence Road, Brentwood, was jailed for 20 months after pleading guilty to two counts of supplying a Class A drug. Kemp, who was arrested at his home address in Clarence Road on Wednesday 12 June, dealt drugs on two occasions in Brentwood in April. He was sentenced on Thursday 11 July.
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