Canvey: Dealer caught returning home with knife and stash of drugs

“If you report drug dealing in your street, you may not see flashing blue lights and an immediate response.
“The reality of policing is that we use these vital reports to steadily build up evidence.
“Then, once we have what we need, we strike – and this case is a perfect example of that work in action.”

Sergeant Adam Jarvis is part of a specialist team targeting organised crime groups across Castle Point and Rochford.

He is urging the public to continue reporting drug activity in their communities after his team secured a combined 13 years in prison for a couple dealing Class A drugs from an address in Canvey.

George Sellick, 31, and his partner Kate Murphy, 31, were jailed at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 7 May.

The sentences followed months of investigative work carried out by officers last year, after we received numerous reports of suspicious activity linked to an address in Church Parade.

This steady stream of information allowed the team to build a strong intelligence picture and carefully plan a warrant, which was executed at the property in the early hours of 30 July.

Murphy was found asleep in bed next to a bag containing wraps of cocaine, cash and three mobile phones.

A search of the address uncovered further items, including bottles of nitrous oxide (a Class C drug), a bladed weapon, cannabis and equipment used to prepare drugs for supply.

While officers were still at the property, a car pulled into the driveway. Sellick was seen getting out and approaching the address, unaware of the police presence inside.

He entered through the rear door and was immediately detained. Sellick was carrying a quantity of drugs, including dozens of ecstasy tablets, around a kilogram of uncut cocaine and more than £5,000 in cash. He was also in possession of a knife.

In total, drugs and cash with a street value of more than £17,000 were seized.

Sellick and Murphy were charged with – and later admitted – a range of offences.

Sellick pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, MDMA and pregabalin (Class C), possession of criminal property and possession of a knife in a public place.

Murphy admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property.

Both offenders were dealing drugs in breach of previous suspended sentences for similar offences, which were activated when they appeared before the court last week.

Sellick was jailed for a total of seven years, while Murphy received a six‑year prison sentence.

Prolific offenders

Sgt Jarvis said:

“People sometimes feel that nothing is happening when they report drug activity, but this case proves the opposite.
“Both of those jailed were prolific offenders who continued to deal drugs despite already being given opportunities by the courts to change their behaviour. Instead, they chose to carry on offending and put their community at risk, in clear breach of previous suspended sentences.
“Information from the public allowed us to build a strong case over time, plan our action carefully and ultimately take two persistent drug dealers off the streets.
“We will continue targeting those who repeatedly ignore court orders and bring drugs and associated crime into our communities, and I would urge anyone with concerns to keep coming forward and sharing information with us.”

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