Five members of Witham organised crime group jailed
Judge praised the police's investigation at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Last updated 15th Jun 2022
Five men have been convicted for their parts in supplying Class A drugs on the streets of Essex.
Three were jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday for a combined 18 years while two others were also convicted and handed suspended sentences.
The convictions follow an investigation by the Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, which included the seizure of cocaine worth up to £24,000.
The group operated from the home of leader Steven Mann at Gershwin Avenue in Witham.
Mann became the subject of an investigation after he was suspected of living well beyond his legitimate means.
He was known to drive a multitude of supercars, including a McLaren 600LT, worth over £100,000 and a number of Rolls Royces. Mann had a very limited source of legitimate income which could not support the lifestyle he was leading.
Detective Superintendent Lee Morton, of the serious and organised crime unit, which is part of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:
“This investigation was extremely complex and required a great deal of patience from the talented investigative team in order to secure the charges, most especially against Mann, who did everything he could to frustrate the operation.
“Mann sat above each of the men which allowed him to distance himself from the group’s criminality. But, over time, we were able to prove his significant involvement with a variety of evidence.
“The judge’s view on the investigation speaks for itself."
"This group thought nothing of profiting from selling drugs to vulnerable people in the county.
“As a result of the work by our investigators to disrupt this group, I have no doubt that Essex is now a safer place.”