Southend: Drug dealer jailed and supply base shut down

A drug dealer who supplied cocaine from his flat in Southend has been jailed after officers responded to concerns raised by the community.

Officers with Southend’s Community Policing Team had been working with partners to crack down on drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour at a block of flats in Sutton Road.

Reports were received concerning drug dealing from a property linked to 60-year-old Mark Disney.

Warrant and arrest

This culminated in a strike on the address on 24 March this year.

Officers executed a warrant and found Disney inside the address holding a tub near to a sink which had the tap running.

He was detained alongside 56-year-old Lisa McRae.

The tub was seized and was found to contain bags of cannabis and cocaine.

A wide search of the property uncovered more than £1,350 in cash. A large bag of cocaine was found stashed within a safe.

Cocaine and cash seized

While at the property, officers noted Disney’s phone was receiving incessant incoming calls from unsaved numbers.

Four people, believed to have been potential customers of Disney, turned up at the front door whilst the search was ongoing.

Disney and McRae were arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and taken into custody.

Further tests revealed our officers had seized 231g of cocaine from the flat, with a street value of around £24,000.

Together with South Essex Homes and Southend Council, we were

subsequently granted a full closure order covering the flat in question.

This will assist in preventing the property from being used for an illicit or anti-social purpose in the future.

Disney went on to admit possession with intent to supply controlled drugs of Class A at Basildon Crown Court on Monday 23 September.

He was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment.

McRae admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

She was sentenced to an 18-month community order, with conditions attached to complete rehabilitation activity and alcohol treatment requirements.

A crown court judge will review her progress in adhering to the terms of the order.

Action taken

Constable Amelia Thorne, officer in the case, said:

“This operation, which was led and conducted entirely by community policing officers, resulted in the removal of a large quantity of drugs from the streets of Southend.
“Our actions in executing a carefully timed warrant at the address ensured we could secure evidence and leave Disney with little room for manoeuvre. He was left with no choice but to admit to his actions.
“He was brazenly dealing harmful substances from his flat and we were absolutely aware of the numerous issues this was causing for the decent, law-abiding community in Southend.
“Our focus is on halting and disrupting illegal activity, particularly drug dealing, within our communities.
“I would like to urge anyone in Southend, no matter the circumstances, to feel confident in picking up the phone or going online and reporting these issues to us.
“We will act upon your reports.
“Even if you don’t see this action straight away, your reports could be helping us in building a case before we carry out our enforcement.”

'This underscores our commitment'

Southend councillor Martin Terry, cabinet member for community safety, said:

“This operation shows how important partnership working is to stop drug dealing and the anti-social behaviour that harms our communities.
“By working together with the police, South Essex Homes, and Southend-on-Sea City Council, we’ve tackled the issues caused at this property, which were making life difficult for residents and affecting their safety.
“The sentencing of Mark Disney to four years in prison underscores our commitment to addressing these problems. Getting the closure order was a big step in keeping our communities safe. I urge residents to report any concerns knowing we will take action.”

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