Chelmsford: Man linked to £1m of cocaine is jailed

A wholesale Class A drug supplier who bragged about being a “sugar daddy” has been jailed following an investigation by our serious and organised crime unit.

As part of the investigation into Paul West, officers seized more than 11kg of cocaine, valued at about £1m.

Acting on intelligence, officers executed a warrant at a business unit in Baddow Park, Chelmsford, in August 2023.

Once in the building, officers found a code-protected door in which the keys to a black Range Rover were being stored. The vehicle was parked outside the unit.

Those keys allowed officers to search the vehicle and within the boot they found a large box containing more than 11kg of cocaine. The drugs were wrapped in a differing quantities, from 250g to 2kg blocks. Officers also found other drug paraphernalia in a rucksack.

Officers quickly linked the unit to West, and he was arrested soon after in Wickford.

After his arrest, his devices were examined and further material was discovered linking him to the wholesale supply of drugs, including footage of him posing with large quantities of cash and speaking about being a “sugar daddy”, and messages arranging to supply large amounts of cocaine.

West, who claimed to buy cars in need of work on Facebook Marketplace and sell them on for a profit, was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

The 36-year-old, of Dorset Avenue, Chelmsford, initially denied the charge but then pleaded guilty on 8 January 2024.

He was sentenced at Southend Crown Court today, Thursday 29 February, to seven and a half years in jail.

Detective Sergeant David Crane, of our serious and organised crime unit, said:

“Given the quantity of drugs which we were able to link West to, there is no doubt he was involved in the supply of Class A drugs at a high level.
“The drugs we located, seized and have ultimately destroyed were destined for the streets of Essex, where its supply would be inextricably linked on the threat or use of serious violence and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
“Today, West has been sentenced for his decision to become involved in the world of Class A drug supply. He thought he could act outside the law and bragged about the money he was making. He could not.
“Make no mistake, this investigation does not stop here – we will pursue him relentlessly to recoup his criminal gains through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“Our message is consistently clear: you can’t do this in Essex and if you do, you’ll be caught. The evidence against you will be so overwhelming that you’ll have no option but to admit your guilt and spend time in jail.”

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