Charlie Varnals, 24, operated three drugs lines selling heroin and crack cocaine in Colchester between September and December 2021.

When police officers raided his flat in Kentish Town, north London, they found knives, drugs and a knuckle duster hidden inside a large “Kinder Egg” style container, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Robin Griffiths, prosecuting, said detectives were reviewing a mobile phone belonging to a known drug user from Colchester when they first became aware of Varnals.

“They noticed incoming marketing messages advertising drugs for sale,” said Mr Griffiths, who explained that officers then began their inquiries.

Drug dealer - Charlie Varnals (Image: Essex Police)

The court heard the police soon established Varnals was behind the messages and was operating three different “Mitch” drug lines in Colchester and London.

CCTV footage obtained by the police from a newsagents in Colchester showed Varnals topping-up a sim card on a drugs line mobile phone.

Mr Griffiths said the number from this device had also been frequently used to call Varnals’ mother.

Following a joint investigation by Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police, officers raided the defendant’s flat in Pandian Way, Kentish Town.

“They entered the flat and saw Mr Varnals asleep in a room where they found two mobile phones,” continued Mr Griffiths.

“In the same room as those devices, officers found a Kinder Egg containing sim cards, a knuckleduster, knives and a set of micro scales.”

Sentence - Chelmsford Crown Court (Image: Google)

Varnals, now of River Court, Purfleet, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

James Wing, mitigating, argued his client was “coerced” into getting involved and the drugs gang had "shattered" his jaw while in prison.

He added: “He is not an eloquent man, he is not an articulate man and he gets easily frustrated.

“He used the drugs line to call his mother which is a cardinal sin for people involved in that line of work.”

Judge David Turner sentenced Varnals to three years and eight months in prison.

He said: “You will not need a lecture from me on the evils of drugs as you know the consequences of dealing with people in the trade.”