DEALERS sent more than 10,000 messages to drug users with a menu of Class A drugs, before being caught after a recovering addict raised the alarm.

Rhys Morgan and James Sanders were managing the “Ben” county lines operation across Southend, and phones linked to the line were found to have sent messages to 647 “clients”.

Morgan, 23, of Canewdon Road, Westcliff, and Sanders, 30, of Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff, were trying to shift huge quantities of heroin and cocaine before being caught in April.

The two men were discovered after police were approached by a recovering drug addict being badgered by messages.

The men were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court yesterday for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Prosecuting, Jessica Clarke said: “The telephone line was sending bulk messages consistent with being a drug line. 10,186 messages were sent as part of the bulk events.

“In April 2021 the police was contacted by a local Class A drug user attempting to clean up. He was being constantly pestered.

“The officer looked at the phone and it was offering cocaine in £20,000 deals.”

Ms Clarke said the number eventually led to Morgan and Sanders.

Raids found various drug equipment and Class A drugs, including 70 wraps of heroin in one address, and 28 wraps in another, and 13 wraps of cocaine.

Ms Clarke said the pair had expected to make “significant” financial gain.

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Mitigating for Morgan, James Lachkovic said he had previously been in detention for six months at the age of 17.

He said: “When released he formed a relationship and also began work as a labourer.

“In March 2018 his son was born and he was determined that he would not be led to criminal offences and would not go back to prison. But the relationship ended in August 2020 in unhappy circumstances.

“The defendant was then out of work due to the lockdown and he was effectively homeless.

“He started using Class A drugs and was addicted to cocaine.

“He got up a debt and had to work it off, the drugs he was supplied to sell he actually consumed himself.”

Mitigation for Sanders also said he built up a debt.

Judge Samantha Leigh jailed Morgan for four years and two months, and Sanders for three years.