A DRUG dealer has been put behind bars after being identified as running a drugs line from Croydon to Colchester.

Essex Police officers from the Operation Raptor team, which specialises in dismantling county drugs lines, started investigating the Wayne drug line in March this year.

Working with the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Orochi team, they identified Ronnie Tudilo as being behind the phone line used to make the deals.

A warrant was carried out at his home in Stroud Green Way, Croydon, on May 12.

He was arrested and later charged with being concerned in the offer to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

The 21-year-old admitted the charges at Ipswich Crown Court on June 6 and was jailed for two years and eight months on Thursday, July 1.

Detective Sergeant James Pamment said: “Tudilo is a young man who has lost his freedom because he chose to be involved in drug dealing.

“We often see people who think drug dealing is a way to earn easy money and kudos from their peers.

“It isn’t. If you aren’t watching your back because of rival dealers, or even your own associates, then you’re also watching your back for the police.

“Every day we are arresting those involved in drugs supply in our county and we won’t let these criminals make money off the back of other people’s misery.”