Man jailed for supply of designer drug
Robbie Hasell, 35, was sentenced to 13 years at Chelmsford Crown Court.
A man involved in the supply of large quantities of Class A substances, including the designer drug ‘pink cocaine’, has been jailed for 13 years.
Robbie Hasell, 35, of Tanys Dell, Harlow, admitted to nine drug supply charges across three separate cases after investigations by Essex Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Metropolitan Police.
The Essex Police investigation followed a number of warrants executed across North Essex earlier this year whereby they were able to link Hasell to messages which clearly detailed plans to supply substances including ‘pink cocaine’.
An expert drug witness explained that 'pink cocaine' is a fairly new synthetic designer drug which, despite its street name, is not a variety of cocaine.
It is typically found in powdered form and is a mix of illegal substances such as Ketamine and MDMA, dyed pink with food colouring.
On Wednesday 5 June this year, police executed a warrant at an address in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, and found Hasell at the property.
Under the SOCU investigation, Hasell later admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine. He admitted separate charges of supplying cocaine and cannabis in Essex.
Under a separate Met Police investigation, Hasell admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis, and supplying cocaine and cannabis.
He was sentenced to 13 years in jail at Chelmsford Crown Court last Friday.
Detective Inspector Frazer Low, of SOCU, said: “This case is a prime example of the risk users take in partaking in illegal drug use.
“You never really know what the substance might contain."
“Drugs such as the those advertised in these messages rarely contain what might be suggested, it’s usually a mix of other drugs and substances."
“Our work involves targeting those criminals who stand to make real profit off the back of this awful trade."
“They may be distanced from the harm the trade in drugs causes on the streets, but they are not out of the spotlight and cannot operate with impunity."
“We are frequently able to detect and build cases against those involved in bringing Class A drugs to our streets."
“This case is just one example, and proves the serious time drug suppliers can expect to face when we catch them.”