A Croydon drug gang has been jailed for more than 40 years after a deputy was caught with two 9mm handguns as he tried to flush evidence down the toilet. The county line, branded ‘Nutz’ by those involved, funnelled crack cocaine and heroin from South London to Harwich in Essex, with Jordan James, 33, identified as the leader, and Deveire Young, 31, operating as his right hand man.
Etienne Da Cunha and Dennis Da Silva Costa, both 32, were trusted lieutenants responsible for delivering fresh stocks of drugs to the runners, while Alfie Sanchez, 21, and Jason Anderson, 50, were the drug line phone holders and runners for the operation. Sanchez and Anderson were both arrested with drugs and knives on separate occasions in May and June 2023.
During raids across Essex, Stratford, and Croydon in February 2024, Young tried to flee officers but was tracked by a police drone to a neighbouring property where he was caught trying to flush vast quantities of cannabis and crack down a toilet and sink. Young also had a set of keys that led officers to a parked van containing two handguns and 9mm ammunition, as well as jewellery, watches, and designer trainers worth £127,000.
Detective Constable Matthew Hall, officer in the case, said: “The recovery of knives and firearms in this case illustrates how violence, exploitation and threats go hand-in-hand with county lines drug supply. This is why we have teams working solely on this issue. Where we disrupt these supply lines, we disrupt the criminals intent on fuelling wider issues like violence and anti-social behaviour.”
The drug dealers were convicted and jailed for the following charges at Chelmsford Crown Court:
- James, of HMP Pentonville: Nine years two months for supplying crack cocaine and heroin.
- Young, of Mortham Street, Newham: 15 years six months for conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin, two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession with intent to supply cannabis, and possession of criminal property.
- Da Silva Costa, of Priory Road, Clacton: Eight years two months for conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
- Anderson, of Stour Close, Dovercourt: Six years nine months for conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
- Sanchez, of Riley Avenue, Jaywick: Three years three months for conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
- Da Cunha, of Hanbury Gardens, Colchester, will be sentenced at a later date.
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