Basildon Drug Dealer Busted with £22k Cash and Knuckle Duster
Eddie James, 29, was caught red-handed striking a suspected drug deal in his car on Redgrave Road, Basildon, on 20 October. Police swooped and found £510 in his pocket during a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Massive Haul Found in Linked Properties
While in custody, James’s mobile phone kept buzzing with drug-related calls and texts. Officers then raided a flat linked to him in Lincewood Court, Langdon Hills, uncovering a staggering £21,750 in cash alongside cocaine, MDMA, and a knuckle duster.
The police also discovered drug prep gear, luxury jewellery, designer clothes, and another phone packed with drug request messages. A storage lock-up tied to James revealed luxury shoes worth around £6,278 and two stun guns.
Jailed for Over Four Years – Proceeds of Crime Case Looms
James, from Paxfords, Laindon, faced Basildon Crown Court on 19 November and pleaded guilty to supplying drugs, possession with intent to supply, possession of MDMA, carrying prohibited weapons, and possessing criminal property. He was sentenced to four years and four months behind bars the same day.
PC Dan Onley of Op Raptor South warned: “James has lost his freedom and now faces losing the earnings he made from his crimes. Anyone thinking drug dealing is an easy cash grab is dead wrong. You’ll be looking over your shoulder – both from rival criminals and us. We will be watching.”
