A DEALER who appeared in a music video playing the role of a “drugs runner” has avoided jail for his role in flooding Southend with drugs.

Leon Frokku, 18, of Colne Drive, Shoebury, was handed a suspended sentence yesterday for his “lesser role” in a drugs operation selling heroin and crack cocaine to people in Southend, London and Bournemouth.

He was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court alongside Paul Harding, 39, of Burnaby Road, Southend, and two men from London and one from Bournemouth.

The court heard the drugs operation sold almost 2kg of heroin and crack cocaine to 2,000 people.

Frroku was sentenced to 21 months suspended for two years and Harding was jailed for 18 months.

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Judge Samantha Cohen told the court it was a “very profitable drugs supply business.”

Sentencing the five men, she said: “You all fall to be sentenced for your roles in a drugs line supplying crack cocaine and heroin across Southend, London and Bournemouth over five months.

“Mr Maguire-Baker and Mr McMamara admitted the offences last June while Harding and Frroku denied this. After talking with the crown both defendants changed their pleas to admit being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

“Harding says it was only one day that he was involved. It’s clear to me this was a very profitable drug supply business and county line.

“Just under 2kg of drugs were sold to more than 2,000 customers and it raised about £190,000 and three different mobile phones were used.”

Judge Cohen highlighted that Frroku he had appeared in a drill music video playing the role of a drugs runner. She also said he had about 1000 messages for drug orders on a phone.

Frroku was charged with conspiracy to supply a controlled Class A drug, being concerned in supplying a controlled Class A drug and supplying a controlled Class A drug.

Harding faced the same charges as Frokku.

Jeff Onuh, 27, of Peckham Rye, was jailed for seven years and six months, Chay MaguireBaker, 27, of Peckham Road, London was jailed for seven years and six months and Kieran McNamara, 23 of Wimbourne Road, Winton was jailed for two years and eight months.