A drug dealer, who was part of a network supplying the Class A drug cocaine to recreational users across the county, has been sentenced.

Dennie Jones, 23 of Shortlands Avenue, Ongar, pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying a Class A drug and one count of offering to supply a Class B drug.

He was arrested in Rollason Way, Brentwood on Wednesday, June 12, and was sentenced to 25 months on Wednesday 17 July.

Jones was one of 18 people arrested following a series of dawn raids across Ongar, Brentwood and Romford on Wednesday, June 12.

The latest gang member 42-year-old Warren Ryan of Coal Court, Grays, was jailed for two years, suspended for two years, at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday, August 22.

Ryan was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying a Class A drug when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 19 July.

Ryan was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Thomas Kemp, 33, of Clarence Road, Brentwood and Jonathan Maughan,23, of no fixed addressed, who were also involved were both jailed back in July.

Both were pleaded guilty to supplying a Class A drug and were both jailed for 20 months and 25 months respectively.

Acting on information from the community, officers launched an investigation back in February targeting dealers supplying cocaine to people in bars and pubs across Brentwood’s town centre at weekends.

Essex Police were supported by Brentwood Borough Council, which also provided additional resources to support the policing operation.

Following the sentencing, Brentwood district commander Chief Insp Lewis Basford, said: “All too often we see people who go out on a Friday and Saturday night and think it is acceptable to buy and take Class A drugs – it is not.

“Every single drug bought will be at the human cost of someone who has been exploited, harmed, threatened with violence or in some cases made to perpetrate violence.

“Children may be exploited, trafficked, threatened or hurt by dealers looking to flood the streets with their illegal wares.

“In the same way vulnerable people with drug addictions may also be forced or exploited into selling drugs.

“We’ve said it before but every single wrap of cocaine will be at the cost of someone’s blood and tears and we are asking people to think about that human cost the next time they think about buying it on a night out.

“In the meantime we will continue to protect and serve our communities and take the fight to ruthless dealers who think they can ply their trade on the streets of our county.”