Dealer caught crafting ecstasy pills from grandmother's shed

A drug dealer who manufactured ecstasy pills from his grandmother’s shed has been jailed after a lengthy investigation.

Our Serious Organised Crime Unit had long been building a case against Frankie Lee Watkinson, 31, in relation to intelligence gathered over suspected Class A drug supply.

The culmination of this investigation resulted in the execution of a warrant at his grandmother’s address in Thurrock in January this year.

A search of the garden shed uncovered ecstasy pill manufacturing equipment.

These items included a pill press machine, bags of suspected MDMA, powder-covered gloves and loose pills.

The pill press machine was fully operational and covered in fresh, loose powder.

A search of the loft area of the house revealed a small safe that had been secured into the joist beam.

This was taken back to the police station and opened with a key seized from Watkinson at the time of his arrest.

Officers recovered 108g of cocaine, valued at between £4,300 and £8,600.

In custody, Watkinson gave his address as a caravan at a site in Clacton.

Officers carried out a search of the caravan in question, seizing a suspected drug dealer customer list and 15 mobile phones.

In interview, Watkinson denied producing Class A drugs. He said he helped friends with removals and takes leftover items to a boot sale.

He tried to claim the equipment found in his grandmother’s shed would be those unsold items.

He further denied being involved in the supply of cocaine.

But due to the clear evidence gathered against him, he later admitted production of MDMA and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Appearing at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday 6 November, he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

'This is the reality of drug manufacturing'

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of SOCU, said:

“The judge in this case found Watkinson’s exploitation of his grandmother’s property to supply and produce drugs was a clear aggravating factor.
“This case shows the depths to which organised Class A drug dealers will sink to facilitate their harmful trade.
“He showed little concern for the fallout of his offending on his wider family.
“The reality of ecstasy isn’t glamourous.
“It is drug dealers like Watkinson, operating out of grubby, makeshift manufacturing labs, who choose what to cut the MDMA with.
“By their own reckless metrics, they decide the potency and authenticity of the pills they create.
“You can never be sure of what you are taking. It is a very real danger.
“The supply of ecstasy and cocaine also fuels wider offending in Essex and we know our role in stamping out the trade in these substances will help us drive down crime across our county.”

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