Canvey men jailed after thorough drug network investigation

Three drug dealers have been sentenced to more than 10 years in total as a result of the investigation.

The leader of the operation, Lonnie Tranter, 36, from Third Walk, Canvey, supplied cocaine in large quantities for substantial profit.

Jailed - Lonnie Tranter (Image: Essex Police)

Tranter has been sentenced to five years in prison, with his assets frozen and proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act underway against him.

Tranter was the supplier to Lewis Slater, 31, of Fifth Avenue, Canvey, who ran cocaine and cannabis dealing lines with the assistance of Peter Bartlett, 23, of Link Road, Canvey.

The investigation was initiated by a routine drug stop as part of Operation Falcon, a dedicated effort to target and dismantle organised crime groups and drug dealers operating across Essex.

Jailed - Lewis Slater (Image: Essex Police)

In September 2022, the team stopped a man on Canvey who confirmed he was waiting to purchase £20 worth of cocaine. His phone was examined, revealing a number of interest.

The investigation then focused on the monitoring and analysis of messages exchanged between a growing list of suspects.

This revealed a clear structure and organisation, with "open hours" for when the drug lines would be active and a discreet delivery service.

Jailed - Peter Bartlett (Image: Essex Police)

The service involved posting drugs through letterboxes or leaving them in open vehicles, and customers were allowed to pay using bank accounts.

Slater instructed runners to deliver drugs to customers and personally chased up drug debts.

Jamie McLaughlin, 32, of Fifth Avenue, Canvey, and Rebecca Potter, 32, of Link Road, Canvey, the girlfriends of Slater and Bartlett respectively, allowed their bank accounts to be used for the depositing of drug profits.

During the investigation, it was found that Tranter, as the supplier, made considerable profit.

His bank account showed a balance in excess of £80,000 as of January 2023, with frequent cash deposits and third-party credits of varying amounts.

The investigation culminated in three strikes on addresses on Canvey on October 5, 2023.

At an address in Fifth Avenue, Slater and McLaughlin were arrested, with cannabis and a quantity of cash seized.

At an address in Link Road, Bartlett and Potter were arrested, with a three-figure sum of cash seized and more than 200 wraps of cocaine seized.

Seized - Drug wraps (Image: Essex Police)

Tranter, Slater, Bartlett, and Potter appeared for sentencing at Basildon Crown Court on August 29.

Tranter previously admitted charges of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug and converting criminal property and was jailed for five years.

Slater previously admitted charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and was jailed for two years and eight months.

Bartlett previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and converting criminal property and was jailed for two years and six months.

Seized - Cash (Image: Essex Police)

Potter previously admitted possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and converting criminal property and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with mental health treatment and rehabilitation activity requirements attached.

She will also be subject to a six-month curfew.

McLaughlin admitted a charge of converting criminal property and appeared for sentencing at Southend Crown Court on April 30, 2024.

She was sentenced to a two-year community order, with mental health treatment and rehabilitation activity requirements attached.

Constable Samuel Scrivener, officer in the case, said: "The criminal activity associated with this group caused real issues and disruption to the decent, law-abiding community in Canvey.

“They shouldn’t have to deal with the fallout of drug activity near their homes and within their neighbourhoods.

“This involved careful evidence gathering around phone activity and financial work, with the co-operation of our Economic Crime Unit.

“As a result, three drug dealers will spend significant spells behind bars.

“There’s no room and no place for drug dealing in our district – we will not stop until each criminal associated with this awful trade is rooted out and put before the courts."