Essex Organised Crime gang jailed for 30 years
The group distributed large amounts of cocaine across Essex
Five individuals, involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine in wholesale quantities, have been sentenced to a total of nearly 30 years in prison.
The leader of the group, Vlad Filin, 27, of The Bringey, Great Baddow, operated the drug line phone, sourced bulk cocaine, and managed customer interactions. The operation ran from September 2022 to July 2023, supplying ounce-sized quantities of cocaine.
Filin enlisted Ryan Connor 28, of St Michaels Walk, Chelmsford, and Alfie Fieldson to distribute the drugs. Fieldson, 30, managed cocaine storage and distribution from his base in Rothmans Avenue, Great Baddow. Connor, 28, delivered cocaine across north Essex.
Damon Wager and Henry Davis, both 27, were identified as customers of Filin's operation. They were found to be cocaine suppliers themselves, operating from their home addresses in Witham and Colchester respectively.
Wager was observed stopping near Fieldson's home on multiple occasions, eventually being caught discarding 26g of cocaine from his vehicle during a police stop on the A12.
Coordinated police strikes at addresses associated with the group led to arrests and the seizure of cocaine, cannabis, and large sums of cash. All four main culprits were charged with and admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Davis received a sentence of three years and four months, while Filin, Connor, Fieldson, and Wager each received six to seven years in prison.
Detective Inspector Frazer Low of SOCU stated, “Piecing together this network of organised, dedicated criminals took patience and coordination together with a number of teams across the force." He emphasized the importance of disrupting organized crime groups to prevent the flow of harmful substances onto the streets.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Weaver highlighted the impact of drug sales on communities, praising the collaborative efforts of law enforcement units in preventing further harm caused by the group's activities.