Chelmsford: £8,000 seized as drug dealer convicted

A drug dealer who was part of a network supplying Class A drugs in Chelmsford has admitted his part in the operation after officers were able to overwhelmingly prove his connection to the network.

Jordan Powell, 23, was identified by officers from Op Raptor North as playing a key role in the ‘Tens’ line which was operating out of Ilford and supplying Class A drugs in Chelmsford.

As part of a thorough investigation, officers were able to show Powell was connected with the drugs line on almost 2,000 occasions between January and April this year.

As part of a pre-planned operation, Powell, of Coventry Road, Ilford, was arrested at an address in Aardvark Drive, in Stanway, Colchester on Wednesday 24 May.

A warrant was executed simultaneously at an Ilford address.

Items of significance were seized from both addresses, including about £8,000 in cash and a phone directly connected to the Tens line.

Powell was arrested and questioned and was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 25 May and admitted each of the charges.

He will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 22 June.

'Powell had no other option but to admit his guilt'

Detective Superintendent Gary Biddle, head of our serious violence unit, said:

“People who deal drugs in Essex are quite often completely unaware of the investigation going on into their involvement until they hear the knock at the door.
“The evidence against Powell was so overwhelming that he had no option but to admit his guilt in court at the very first opportunity.
“In Chelmsford, and indeed across Essex, our specialist teams are disrupting and dismantling drugs networks every day of the week.
“I have no doubt that Powell, who already has previous convictions for drug offences, is facing an appropriate time in prison and Chelmsford is a safer place for Op Raptor’s work.”

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