Class A drugs worth £600k stopped from reaching Essex streets

Seized - Dendle was found with 6kg of cocaine in the boot of his car

Class A drugs worth £600,000 have been stopped from arriving on the streets of Essex thanks to the work of our specialist detectives.

Drugs courier Russell Dendle was stopped by officers while transporting the cocaine on 20 April 2022.

Dendle was behind the wheel of a blue Ford Focus on the M25 close to the Dartford River Crossing when the stop too place.

During a subsequent search of the car, officers discovered 6kg of cocaine located in the boot of the car.

As a result of the discovered, Dendle, of Abbey Close, in Hullbridge, was arrested on suspicion of drug offences.

Digital work then carried out by officers from our Serious and Organised Crime Unit, then confirmed Dendle had knowledge of the drugs he had in his possession, and we were able to prove he was acting as a courier.

Once inspected, it was also established the drugs had a street value in the region of £600,000.

Dendle, was then charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
He appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court the following day and admitted the charges.

Jailed - Russell Dendle

The 30-year-old, who claimed to have no income but had two summer holidays booked to Spain and Mexico, was sentenced yesterday at Southend Crown Court to four years in prison.

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said:

“These drugs were destined for the streets of Essex – all £600,000 worth of them.
“But thanks to work of the team, they were seized and stopped from being used to harm and exploit vulnerable people in our communities.
“And thanks to that work, Dendle will now spend time in prison and the drugs he was transporting will be destroyed.
“The message is clear; if you are intent on supplying drugs in Essex, or into Essex, you will be caught and you will be punished.”