Detectives secure 10-year prison sentence for drug dealing 'music promoter'

Two drug dealers who portrayed themselves as a successful promoter and a music artist instead made money selling crack cocaine and heroin, an extensive Essex Police investigation found.

Sheldon Johnson, 50, used the alias ‘Lucky British’ and liked to show himself off as a high-flying and successful music promoter.

In reality, he lived well beyond his means, funding designer clothes and expensive watches by running a crack cocaine and heroin supply business in the Chigwell area.

He’s been jailed for ten years and his assets have been seized.

Johnson was leading a drug line operating in London and Essex, with the help of associates 42-year-old Nyasha Best and 37-year-old Annette Lawrence – a music artist known by her stage name Lisa Mercedez.

Officers with our Operation Raptor and Orochi teams worked with Eastern Region Special Operations Unit to build a case against them.

In June 2024, after months of evidence-gathering, officers approached Johnson in a shop in Woodford Bridge, London.

Johnson immediately attempted to push past them to escape the store, was tackled to the floor and arrested.

After lifting him up, officers spotted wraps of heroin and crack cocaine on the ground where he had been lying.

Two phones and a sum of cash were also recovered from Johnson.

One of the devices was found to be the active drug line phone.

Further evidence seized

Johnson’s home in Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge, was searched and a number of significant items were seized.

Multiple items of designer clothes, shoes a watch and sunglasses were recovered.

A poster was recovered from the address, advertising a music event celebrating the birthday of ‘Lucky’ – with a cash prize of £1,000.

Johnson was centre stage on the poster wearing expensive designer clothing identical to items seized from his home.

More than £25,000 in cash was seized from the address along with almost £250,000 worth of designer clothes, shoes and bags.

Best, of Tiverton Road, Queens Park, London, and Lawrence, of Nazeing, Waltham Abbey, were also arrested in June 2024.

High-value clothing items were seized from Best’s address, while mobile phones including a cheap ‘burner’ style phone were seized from Lawrence’s address.

All three denied charges of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

Johnson and Best also denied charges of possessing criminal property.

They were convicted on all counts thanks to the strength of the evidence against them following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

At the same court on Monday 31 March, Johnson was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, while Best was jailed for seven years.

Lawrence appeared at the same court on Friday 13 July, where she received a sentence of two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with conditions attached to complete 50 hours of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Action under the Proceeds of Crime Act will be taken against them to recover any outstanding criminal profit.

'Lowest of the low'

Detective Sergeant David Wilkinson said:

“This was rightly seen by the judge as harmful offending deserving of lengthy prison sentences in the cases of Johnson and Best.
“The outcome is the result of good partnership working between forces to see three committed drug dealers convicted.
“The defendants liked to pass themselves off as having wealth and high status.
“In reality they were the lowest of the low.
“The profit they made was built on the misery and exploitation of drug addicts, by selling harmful substances on the streets of our county.
“The supply in Class A drugs causes immeasurable harm in our neighbourhoods.
“We’re working hard to ensure drug dealers like Johnson, Best and Lawrence are put before the courts.”

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.

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