Braintree: Drug dealer caught and jailed

A man responsible for arranging drug deals for a county lines gang has been jailed and made subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order.

Kyle Atkins ran the mobile phone used by the Tony line, which sold crack cocaine and heroin in Braintree.

He was arrested on 2 June this year after a warrant was carried out at an address in New Peachey Lane, Uxbridge.

Officers found the SIM card for the mobile phone used to advertise drugs and make deals.

They also seized £915 and drugs including cannabis, heroin and crack cocaine.

Atkins, 28, of no fixed address, was charged with being concerned in supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

He admitted the charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 1 July and was jailed the same day for three years and six months.

The judge also granted a Serious Crime Prevention Order for five years, which will start on the day of his release from prison.

The drugs and equipment used to prepare and package drugs that were seized during the search warrant will be destroyed.

Detective Sergeant James Pamment said: “Kyle Atkins was jailed for running a drug line that supplied crack cocaine and heroin to users in Braintree between 7 November 2020 and 13 February this year.

“He may have thought he had gotten away with his crimes because his activity subsided after February.

“But we relentlessly pursue criminals who run county drugs lines with the aim to make sure they are put before the courts and will not allow anyone to escape justice.”