Christopher Cronin, 56, Michael Murphy, 56, and Peter Faires, 57, were operating to ensure the kilo drug block moved on to other hands for sale.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Cronin and Murphy, both of Colchester, were overseeing the movement of the drug, which would have been worth £80,000 if sold per gram.

Adam Norris, prosecuting, said a fourth man, Vincent Byatt, visited Cronin’s house in Colchester to collect the Class A drug on January 19, 2021.

Drug boss - Christopher Cronin (Image: Essex Police)

“Byatt then met with Faires and an exchange of a bag took place,” said Mr Norris.

“The fingerprints of Byatt and Faires had been found on that carrier bag.

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“During the handover there were a number of phone contacts between Cronin, Murphy and Faires.”

The court heard police officers raided Faires’ home in Penrose Drive, Epsom, in August 2021 and found £56,000 worth of cannabis, two crossbows, a sword, an air rifle and £2,000 stashed in his freezer.

Jailed - Michael Murphy (Image: Essex Police)

“In the loft was equipment suitable to grow cannabis including fans, extractors, LED lighting and pots of soil,” continued Mr Norris.

The prosecutor said a further 42g of 90 per cent purity cocaine was found at Faires’ home.

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Faires, a father-of-six, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and separate counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was jailed for six years and eight months.

Sentence - Ipswich Crown Court

Judge Martyn Levett said it is “obvious” Cronin was directing Byatt, who has already been sentenced to four years in prison, and was in a more senior position.

Cronin, of Colchester, was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to supply cocaine and was locked up for 11 years.

Murphy, of Church Lane, Colchester, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of cocaine.

He was put behind bars for five-and-a-half years.

Judge Levett said: “Each one of you played an integral part in a syndicate shifting a kilo block of high purity cocaine.”