South Ockendon ecstasy pill production lab: three men jailed

Sean Lawrence, 35, Raymond Cooper, 63, and Kenneth Stone, 34, were arrested in 2021 after chats on a seized Encrochat device - an instant messaging service primarily used by criminals - between March and June 2020 showed discussions around manufacturing and selling MDMA pills.

The chats discussed ecstasy pills worth between £400,000 and £1.4million being available and ready to sell. his engineering knowledge to produce ecstasy on a commercial scale.

Manufactured - Ecstasy pills seized (Image: Essex Police)Through the information gathered from the chat, police officers were able to identify one of those involved as Lawrence, of Hollis Place, Grays who used his engineering knowledge to produce ecstasy at a lock-up in South Ockendon. 

His movements were tracked to the storage unit which was raided by police in February 2021, where Stone, of Adamson Road, London, was present and arrested. 

Bags - Ketamine seized (Image: Essex Police)

An investigation found Lawrence had been organising the production and onward supply of the MDMA tablets and the adulteration of ketamine. His cracked encrypted messages included a request from another individual for 100,000 pills, which would be worth around £600,000.

Cooper, of North Dene, Chigwell, was involved in the onward supply of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA. He was responsible for the movement and transportation of the drugs.

Stone was a middle man or fixer, who obtained cocaine in bulk for supply in his own drug dealing operation.

All three appeared at Southend Crown Court on Friday where Cooper was jailed for 10 years and four months, Lawrence for seven years and four months and Stone for eight years and four months.

Supply - MDMA seized (Image: Essex Police)

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of Essex Police's serious organised crime unit, said: “This was a highly sophisticated and organised operation leading in the bulk manufacture and supply of MDMA in Essex.

“The production of these harmful substances involved cutting drugs like MDMA and ketamine with other substances.

“The nature of illegal drug supply and manufacturing means the user can never really know what they’re taking.

“Pills may be much stronger or more deadly than advertised, or otherwise contain other damaging substances to dilute or adulterate them.

“Drugs like MDMA, ketamine and cocaine are illegal for a very real reason.

“They ruin lives. The trade and use of these substances brings with it wider offending, including violence, disorder and theft.

“We will pursue those at the top of these illicit operations relentlessly, ensuring they face justice even if it takes months or years to see an outcome.”

Logos - Pill presses seized (Image: Essex Police)

It was found Stone was at the lock-up to clear the unit of drugs and other evidence after Lawrence was arrested in February 2021.

Police found more than 170kg of ketamine, a vacuum pack machine, precision scales and a large bag of white powder found to be a cutting agent Vast amounts of MDMA powder and ecstasy pills were found inside a van at the lock-up.

Cooper, who was arrested in June 2021 after he was found to be in contact with Lawrence on multiple occasions, was found with high-value items including a £9,000 Rolex watch.

Lawrence had admitted production of ketamine, production of MDMA, and acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.

Cooper admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, being concerned in the production of Ketamine and being concerned in the production of MDMA.

Stone admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and perverting the course of justice.