Four Men Jailed For £180k Drugs Ring in North Essex
Four drug dealers have been locked up for over 30 years combined after running a major cocaine conspiracy across north Essex.
Drugs Hidden in Glass Jars and Buried in Colchester
The gang processed cocaine at a Halstead house before sealing it in glass jars. They then buried their stash at two rural spots in Colchester, later digging it up to repackage and sell on the streets.
Police seized 2.5kg of cocaine with a street value nearing £180,000 between September and December 2019. But investigators believe the criminals moved twice that amount during a six-month probe.
Gang Members Snared and Sentenced
- Jake Gregory, 28, no fixed address – led the operation, jailed for 9 years 4 months
- Jake Holliday, 26, Colchester – runner and dealer, jailed for 8 years 8 months
- James Martin, 44, Halstead – landlord who let drugs be processed at his home, jailed for 6 years 3 months
- William Locke, 23, no fixed address – runner and dealer, jailed for 6 years 3 months
All four admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine at Ipswich Crown Court on 17 January 2020 and were sentenced on 21 May.
Holliday’s Additional Drug Offences
Holliday faced further charges for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis from separate incidents in 2018 and 2019, bolstering his jail term.
Serious Crime Prevention Orders in Place
Gregory and Holliday will be subject to Serious Crime Prevention Orders after release. Hearings for similar restrictions on Martin and Locke will follow.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Nelson said: “This lengthy investigation smashed a criminal gang dealing drugs and firearms. Other members caught recently mean a total of eight have been jailed for 59 years combined. Our officers are dedicated to keeping weapons and drugs off our streets and our communities safe.”
