Kingpin Abdul Hamid Slammed with 18 Years for Essex Cocaine Empire
Abdul Hamid started an 18-year jail sentence today for running a massive cocaine drug line across Chelmsford, Maldon, Heybridge, and the Dengie Peninsula.
Drugs Line Made Millions, Ran 20 Hours a Day
Police uncovered Hamid’s operation was pumping out cocaine nearly 20 hours daily, raking in potentially millions in profits between 2017 and 2020. The profits were cleverly laundered through five businesses he and partner Danielle Stevenson-Roberts controlled in Maldon, including two restaurants and a tanning salon.
The couple spent dirty money on luxury properties and vehicles — from land in Tenerife to flashy cars like Mercedes saloons and a Rolls-Royce.
Border Cash Bust and Dangerous Police Chase
Border Force officials at Stansted Airport stopped Hamid and Stevenson-Roberts in August 2019, finding £29,000 hidden in their luggage. They claimed the cash was for a wedding and legitimate business. Police seized the money.
Just a day later, Hamid attempted to dodge police in Latchingdon, crashing into two cars and mounting a pavement packed with pedestrians. He was finally caught and hit with numerous driving offence charges.
Gang Unmasked, Sentenced After Massive Probe
An extensive police investigation led to the arrests of Hamid, Stevenson-Roberts, and associates Murshed Uddin, Lloyd Bridge, and Andrew Lay between February and March 2020. All were charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine. Hamid, Stevenson-Roberts, Uddin, and Bridge also faced charges of concealing criminal property.
Hamid and Uddin even faced additional charges for using mobile phones illegally while on remand in prison.
All five pleaded guilty in September last year. Lay received a suspended two-year sentence, while the others were jailed this week:
- Abdul Hamid, 34: 18 years
- Danielle Stevenson-Roberts, 35: 8 years
- Murshed Uddin, 24: 7 years 3 months
- Lloyd Bridge, 32: 5 years 2 months
Detective Chief Inspector Condemns Crime Empire
“Hamid was the head of an organised crime group, directing a cocaine network in mid-Essex,” said Detective Chief Inspector Steve Nelson. “This drugs line was prolific and likely made millions of pounds from January 2017 to February 2020.”
“Stevenson-Roberts laundered the cash through legitimate and fake businesses. When Hamid was jailed in 2019, couriers Uddin and Bridge stepped up to manage the line.”
“We’ve now frozen more than £300,000 in cash in the UK and Spain and seized luxury cars, all set for proceeds of crime hearings.”
“This case shows our team’s dedication to smashing these ruthless crime groups that profit from other people’s misery.”
