DRUG dealing brothers have been caught selling thousands of pounds worth of cocaine across Essex.

Tai Parsons, 23, and his brother Leo Parsons, 19, ran a series of drug operations supplying Class A drugs to users and were linked with “bulk marketing” text messages and huge amounts of cocaine.

Yesterday Basildon Crown Court heard Tai Parsons had been linked with the delivery of “five to nine ounces” of cocaine, while Leo Parsons was found in possession of phones with a series of messages offering to sell drugs.

The brothers’ previous address in Olive Court, Basildon, and current address in Colchester, were both raided on March 28. Officers found £4,000 in cash, further phones confirming a third drugs line and designer clothes.

The pair pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug.

Andrew Forsyth, prosecuting, said: “Initial messages in November suggested an exchange of roughly five ounces of cocaine with further messages indicating an additional five to nine ounces in relation to Tai Parsons.

“January 15, 2023, saw a male arrested outside a block of flats in Basildon, with the male claiming he had purchased drugs from a dealer called Tai.

“Moving footage taken by police between February 21 and March 3 captured at least 22 exchanges between the Parsons brothers and suspected class A drug users.”

A further defendant, 35-year-old Chloe Taylor became involved on January 15, 2023, as she was identified as the sister of the male arrested.

Taylor, of Montague Street, Basildon, is a class A user and acted as a runner for the brothers in exchange for drugs.

Nick Bonehill, mitigating for Tai Parsons, said: “A prior offence when Mr Parsons was 19 saw £5,000 worth of drugs seized. The dealers that money belonged to approached Parsons and told him he was to work off the debt, threatening him and his family.”

Tai Parsons was sentenced to five years and six months in prison. Leo Parsons was handed a 19-month sentence, suspended for two years, and Chloe Taylor was handed a 16-month sentence, suspended for two years with requirements.