A DRUG dealer has been jailed for more than seven years after “organising the large-scale supply of cocaine and cannabis” across south Essex.

Joe Saville was arrested when a warrant was executed at his home in High Street, Brentwood on 5 February 2021.

Class A drugs and cash were found inside and seized as well as false car insurance documents.

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Mobile phones were also discovered and seized and when they were forensically digitally searched, officers identified several messages suggesting his controlling a network of drug runners and organising the large-scale supply of cocaine and cannabis.

Phone work also showed he had fraudulently obtained vehicle insurance to facilitate his crimes.

The 36-year-old was charged and was convicted of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, being concerned in the supply of a Class B drugs, four counts of fraud by false representation, and two counts of forgery and counterfeiting.

At Basildon Crown court on January 17 he was jailed for a total of seven years and three months.

PC Tom Cole, investigating officer from the Op Falcon Team which led the investigation and carried out the warrant, said: “Drugs are a poison that infects our society.

“It ruins lives and destroys communities and we are determined to put those responsible for its supply behind bars.

“Joe Saville was responsible for the large-scale sale of drugs and organising a network of drug runners.

“He thought he could commit crime in Essex and prey on the vulnerable in our communities, but he was wrong.

“If anyone thinks they can come to Essex and commit crime, they’ll find they’re wrong too.”