Eastbourne drug dealer found in Essex with £3million cocaine

Darren Shand was stopped by police in Colchester, Essex, in July who found two holdalls in the back of his Mercedes van.

On closer inspection the holdalls contained dozens of individually wrapped blocks of cocaine valued at over £3.5 million in total.

Shand, 45, now faces more than a decade behind bars.

Bricks of cocaine (Image: Sussex Police)

Sussex Police Detective Inspector Mark Rosser said: “Shand played a significant role in the supply of cocaine, travelling beyond Sussex to commit these offences. It is the third time Shand has been convicted for drug supply and thanks to his lengthy prison sentence, his willingness to engage in criminal activity will be disrupted for several years to come.​

“This sentence will also serve to disrupt the supply of cocaine within Sussex and further afield. We take the offence of the supply of illegal drugs very seriously and are committed to catching those involved; including those who feel they can travel beyond the scope and reach of Sussex Police.”

Shand, of Selwyn Road in Eastbourne, was stopped by police in Colchester in July 2023.

Officers found two black holdalls in his van and arrested him on suspicion with intent to supply.

Roughly 31 blocks of cocaine were found each weighing roughly 1kg.

Investigations found that he had used the same van to deliver to an address in London earlier in the year.

The cocaine was valued at £3.7 million.

Shand was sentenced to ten years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to all charges.