A drug dealer who looked to make an estimated £18,000 per week selling cocaine instead spent Christmas in prison thanks to an Essex police investigation.

Jay Pattinson, 33, was arrested after officers executed a series of coordinated strikes at addresses in Laindon and Langdon Hills in September this year. 

At the Langdon Hills address, Pattinson saw officers approaching and attempted to block the door with household furniture. 

This didn't stop the team, who forced entry and quickly detained him.

Pattinson had tried unsuccessfully to hide his phone under his mattress, while another phone was located in separate bedroom. 

Messages found on both devices which were consistent with drug supply. 

A forensic investigation found Pattinson had been in communication with a drug runner, with daily sales figures fed back to Pattinson.

These figures showed he could make an estimated £18,000 per week if his line was running every day.

A warrant was executed at co-defendant Karl McKay's address in Tower Avenue, Laindon, and his phone was also seized.

Messages showed McKay, 33, had been working with Pattinson to supply cocaine.

McKay had held the drug line phone for around five weeks, acting as a runner for Pattinson.

During a further warrant at Jefferson Avenue, Laindon, officers searched the garage of third co-defendant Richard Gill. 

Inside, they found a kilogram of suspected high-purity cocaine and approximately £24,000 in cash. 

Further investigation found Gill, 49, had accepted £800 per month in rent payments, allowing Pattinson to use his garage to stash cocaine. 

Gill allowed this arrangement to continue in exchange for the money and cocaine to feed his drug habit. 

Pattinson, of Third Walk, Canvey Island, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine. 

Gill admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.

Pattinson was sentenced to six years and nine months' imprisonment at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, 21 December.

At the same hearing, Gill was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with unpaid work and rehabilitation activity

requirements attached.

McKay has admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and is due to be sentenced at the same court on 12 February 2024.

Officer in the case PC Thomas Windeatt said: "Dealing harmful and addictive substances is not a viable business model, it is, rightly, a serious criminal enterprise which will land you in prison for a substantial period of time. 

"Pattinson felt he could make a substantial sums of illicit profit and tried to evade our efforts to uncover his drug dealing network.

"The reality is it was only a matter of time before he was caught and brought before the courts.

"Drugs cause irreparable harm to vulnerable people and the trade in these substances is often rooted in violence and exploitation.

"Our work to disrupt these networks continues around the clock, 365 days a year."