TWO brothers who worked together to sell cocaine in Thurrock have been sentenced after specialist drugs officers pieced together the evidence to prove their roles.

Tai Parsons, 23, and brother Leo Parsons, 19, were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, 10 January after they were linked to the sale of cocaine in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringhasm as well as other Essex towns

Co-defendant Chloe Taylor, 35, was also sentenced after she admitted her role as a drug user working for the line.

The sentence follows a lengthy and detailed investigation into a drug line which advertised cocaine for sale in the Basildon, Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham areas.

A statement from Essex Police says: "It was our case that the Parsons brothers played important roles in the operation.

"We linked the holders of two mobile phones with the supply of bulk amounts of cocaine and its onward distribution to users on the streets.

"In March 2023, this work led us to execute warrants at addresses in Colchester and Basildon.

"At the Colchester address, the two Parsons brothers were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug.

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"Searches uncovered an estimated three-figure sum of cash alongside mobile phones and high-value designer clothing.

"At one Basildon address, officers recovered an amount of cocaine, while at a second Basildon address Taylor was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

"All three defendants later admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine."

Tai Parsons, of Colchester, was sentenced to five years and six months' imprisonment.

Leo Parsons, also from Colchester, was sentenced to 19 months in a youth offender institution, suspended for two years, with conditions attached to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, a 50-day rehabilitation activity requirement and monitoring requirements.

Taylor, of Basildon, was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, drug and mental health requirements attached.

PS James Morrish, officer in the case, works with the Essex Police specialist Op Raptor South team – dedicated to dismantling county lines drug dealing operations across Essex.

He said: "This was a complex investigation utilising communications analysis to secure convictions against all three defendants.

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"The investigation was running in the background for a number of months, meaning we were able to gather evidence and get to a point where we could secure charges on the day of the warrants being executed.

"Due to the overwhelming evidence all three defendants pleaded guilty.

"As with any drug line we dismantle, the reality of the operation isn't glamorous or rewarding.

"It often takes exploitation and manipulation to facilitate the sale of these drugs on the streets, often to people who are addicted and suffering the harmful impact of illegal substance misuse."