A DEALER who fled through the window of a flat as officers carried out a welfare check on a vulnerable drug user has been jailed for a total of seven years.
The sentence follows an investigation led by our dedicated drug enforcement teams under Operation Raptor.
These teams work around the clock to tackle county lines gangs, which bring harmful drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine into Essex from elsewhere, fuelling violent crime and exploitation.
Last year alone, the teams made more than 460 arrests and secured 340 charges against county lines gang members.
As part of their role, Operation Raptor officers also build relationships and work to safeguard those exploited by these groups.
Safeguarding officers carry out checks at properties suspected of having been taken over by dealers — a practice commonly known as cuckooing.
They were carrying out one such check at an address in Basildon when suspects were seen fleeing the property.
Sharn Cain, 26, of Colwyn Close, London, was identified as one of the suspects. He was detained a short time later in another area of Basildon by officers conducting an area search.
It was established he was from the south-west London area and had given officers a vague explanation for being in Basildon that day.
Cain was carrying two mobile phones, including a cheap burner-style handset.
Analysis showed this was a drug line phone used to send out advertising messages and arrange deals with customers.
Cain denied a charge of being concerned in an offer to supply Class A drugs.
He also faced charges relating to a separate London investigation in 2025, which included conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
He was convicted of these offences following a trial and, on Wednesday 21 January, was jailed for seven years at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.
Officer in the case Detective Constable Daniel Onley said:
“Drug dealers working for or operating a county line exploit others to distance themselves from their crimes.
“This often involves taking over the homes of vulnerable drug users and turning them into bases from which to supply highly harmful Class A drugs.
“We then see all the associated issues familiar to many areas across Essex — from violence linked to drug debts to anti-social behaviour connected to drug dealing.
“We constantly adapt our approach to tackling these gangs by staying alert to the tactics they use.
“Our safeguarding officers get to know drug users and carry out welfare checks when cuckooing is suspected at an address.
“We work hard to ensure all those who profit from the drug trade see their day in court.”
