Man jailed after Southend drug line investigation

A man who employed children to run crack cocaine and heroin in Southend has been jailed.

Operation Raptor officers, who target county lines selling Class A drugs in Essex, secured a conviction against 24-year-old Liam Atkins.

Atkins was linked to the ‘Pedro’ drugs line, which was identified following the review of a Class A drug user’s telephone.

It was found to be supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Southend from 23 October 2023.

The police investigation into the line encompassed analysis of CCTV, surveillance of those involved and analysis of mobile telephones.

Throughout the investigation, it was identified two children had been enlisted to work for the line.

On Tuesday January 23, a warrant was executed at Atkins’ address in Ashanti Close, Shoeburyness.

Atkins was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Cash was seized along with the drug line phone.

On his personal phone, officers found messages relating to sourcing juveniles to run drugs for the operation.

Atkins was charged with and admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

Basildon Crown Court was told Atkins had actively tried to recruit young people into the operation.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday June 228, the court heard Atkins had sole control of the line across the period of the investigation.

It was accepted, although others may have been involved at a level above Atkins, he held a management role in the operation.

It was taken as an aggravating factor that he used children to deliver drugs.

Atkins was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

Acting Detective Inspector Rob Maile, of Op Raptor South, said: “A common feature we find time and time again in these cases is the distancing of those running the line from the active running and selling of drugs on the street.

“The dangerous and risky work is undertaken by those they can either exploit or enlist with the, often false, promise of financial gain or reward.

“Sadly, this often leads to the recruitment of children – either easily influenced or coerced into working with those holding the drug line phone.

“We are working hard to address this cruel reality. We have specialist safeguarding officers within Operation Raptor, who work to identify those being exploited.

“Children coerced or threatened into running drugs for lines like the ‘Pedro’ line will be treated as victims.

“Those committed to criminality and exploiting others will be dealt with using the full powers available to us.

“The courts rightly take a strict stance on those involved in organised drug dealing.”