A man has been jailed after 5kg of cocaine worth more than £500,000 was uncovered following a car stop in Southend.
Detectives from Essex Police’s serious and organised crime unit had built a case against Bradley Pritchard before he was stopped in Johnstone Road, Thorpe Bay, in November last year.
The 33-year-old initially told police he was “just driving a work car” and gave officers an old address.
“Not my car, nothing to do with me,” he said.
However, a search of the vehicle led officers to discover £12,500 worth of cocaine inside a Tesco Bag for Life. They also established Pritchard’s true home address in Exford Avenue, Southend.
When officers searched the property, they found four 1kg blocks of cocaine hidden in a pink suitcase inside a shed in the garden.
A further 1kg block was discovered in a large plastic tub alongside assorted drug-packing paraphernalia. Officers also found 100g of cocaine in a bedroom wardrobe.
In total, Pritchard was found with around £512,500 worth of the Class A drug, which police said was destined for the streets of south Essex.
Jailed for Drug Supply
Pritchard was charged with two counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply. He admitted playing a significant role in the drug supply operation and was sentenced to five years and four months in prison at Basildon Crown Court.
Others involved in the wider operation have already been convicted, with some still awaiting sentencing.
Criminal Proceeds Targeted
Pritchard will also be pursued for his criminal proceeds by financial investigators.
Detective Sergeant Leo Fordham said:
“Pritchard was very calm when his car was stopped in November and he did everything he could to throw officers off the scent.
“But it didn’t work. We found 5kg of cocaine which we were able to link to him without question, and he ended up with no option but to admit the offences against him.”