A MAN living in Grays has been jailed for more than nine years after specialist officers were able prove he was involved in the sale of at least 52kg of cocaine. 

As a result of the investigation of an encrypted encrochat device, Sokol Zaimi was identified by officers from Essex Police's serious and organised crime unit as being involved in the large-scale purchase and sale of cocaine between March and June 2020.

The chat logs showed he was involved in the sale of at least 52kg of cocaine and the purchase of 22kg in that short time. 

He was also seen to be discussing the collection of more than £400,000 in cash.

Chats also showed Zaimi was openly discussing a shortage of drugs in the UK and the difficulty in getting the product into the UK, which was in lockdown at the time. 

The police raid that led to Sokol Zaimi's conviction.

The 47-year-old also bragged of having a group of people who he tasked with bringing cocaine into the UK and told users he had a secret compartment in his vehicle to hide cash and drugs during transportation.

Zaimi was arrested at his home, in Boscombe Avenue, Grays, early on March 3 2022. 

He was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of cocaine. 

He admitted the charges on March 5 during a hearing at Basildon Crown Court. 

The court accepted Zaimi was playing a leading role in the drug operation and he appeared at the same court on Tuesday, 20 December and was sentenced to a total of nine years and four months in prison. 

Detective Inspector Yoni Adler, of the force's serious and organised crime unit, said: "Our operation into deciphering encrochat has yielded a number of successful prosecutions with a number of people already prison for their involvement in drug supply.

"Zaimi was brazen about the role he was playing in the purchase and supply of Class A drugs in Essex. In fact, it is likely that the amount of drugs and cash he was noted to be discussing during this period would be significantly lower than it would have been had the country not been in lockdown.

"As a result of the work carried out on these chats, we were able to identify him as a significant member of an organised crime group and enforcement action was quickly taken.

"It is telling that two days after his arrest he felt he had no option but to admit his guilt in court, such was the overwhelming evidence against him.

"A proceeds of crime hearing will take place in due course, during which we will outline to a judge the true extent to which Zaimi financially benefitted and seek to recoup as much money and as many assets from him as the law permits."