Chelmsford: Judge praises officers’ ‘skill and commitment’ as drug dealers are sentenced

A member of an organised crime group involved in the supply of illicit drugs in Chelmsford has been jailed after officers were able to unequivocally prove he was directing the operation.

Jordan Sweeney was jailed for three years today, Thursday 2 May, after admitting two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

And because of the strength of evidence against him, he also accepted he was playing a significant role in the operation, which raised the judge’s starting point for sentencing.

Sweeney was joined in the dock at Chelmsford Crown Court by Reece Turner, who he directed to supply the drugs in the city.

Turner had earlier admitted being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and two counts of possession with intent to supply and was sentenced to 24 months, suspended for two years. Sparing him an immediate custodial sentence, the judge placed a number of stringent conditions upon him, including a six-month tag and 250 hours of unpaid work.

Our investigation began when intelligence work carried out identified Sweeney as a person of interest in the supply of drugs.

Officers from our Op Orochi team – which specialises in investigating the supply of illicit drugs in Essex through County Lines gangs or organised crime groups (OCGs) – then adopted the investigation and were able to further identify Turner as the man being directed by Sweeney to deal the drugs.

Both men were subsequently arrested in December during planned warrants.

During a search of Sweeney’s home, officers found a number of mobile phones which were relevant to the investigation and more than £2,000 in cash.

Both men were charged.

Jordan Sweeney, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 15 December having been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

Reece Turner, 19, of Lucerne Way, Writtle, was charged with being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and two counts of possession with intent to supply.

Sentencing the pair, Recorder Hallam KC praised the investigating officers for “bringing this enterprise to an end”, adding: “But for their skill and enterprise I have no doubt at all that you would have carried on what you were doing if that were not the case.”

Our work on this investigation does not stop now.

We will also be determinedly pursuing Sweeney through the proceeds of crime act and an application for a Serious Crime Prevention Order has also been made.

A hearing to determine how both these matters will proceed will be held in September.

We will also be determinedly pursuing Sweeney through the proceeds of crime act.

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

"This was a meticulous investigation which required a huge amount of diligence by the officers involved. This OCG’s behaviour was complex and were it not for the work of the officers involved in this investigation - notably DC Andy Gore - Sweeney and Turner may have evaded justice.
“Thankfully, that is not the case. Not only were we able identify both men but we also provided overwhelming evidence of their involvement. That meant that Sweeney and Turner were left with very few options but to admit their guilty and, crucially in Sweeney’s case, their level of involvement and culpability in the operation."

Detective Superintendent Biddle added:

“So much of this work goes unseen – because in order to be effective, it has to. But this is a dedicated team of people who have a singular focus on identifying people causing substantial harm to our communities. Whether that’s through the supply of drugs to vulnerable people or engaging in the serious violence which very often goes alongside illicit drug supply.
“And we don’t stop at the point of sentencing; we will pursue Sweeney through the Proceeds of Crime Act in order to claw back his criminal gains and use that to fund community initiatives across Essex.
“We will also pursue a serious crime prevention order for Sweeney, to significantly restrict his ability to offend once he is released from prison.”

Chief Inspector Paul Ballard, Chelmsford district commander, said:

“This is an example of a number of teams from across the force coming together to tackle people who believe they can act outside the law and making sure they can no longer cause harm to our communities.
“I have absolutely no doubt that as a result of this investigation our city and our community is safer."

Are you worried that a friend or someone you know may be being exploited through County Lines or organised criminal activity?

Maybe they are returning home late, staying out all night or even going missing for days or weeks at a time.

Are they suddenly being secretive about who they are talking to or where they are going?

Or perhaps you’ve noticed they have large amounts of money on them, or new clothing, jewellery or phones they wouldn’t be able to afford.

Through Fearless, young people can pass on information 100% anonymously to get help.

If you need help from police, call 101 or, if it's an emergency, always call 999.