North Essex class A drug dealer Robbie Hasell is jailed

Robbie Hasell, 35, admitted to nine drug supply charges across three separate cases after investigations by Essex Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and colleagues with the Metropolitan Police.

Essex Police’s investigation followed a number of warrants executed across north Essex earlier this year, which allowed them to link Hasell to messages which detailed plans to supply substances including ‘pink cocaine’.

The substance is a fairly new synthetic designer drug which, despite its street name, is not a variety of cocaine.

It is typically found in powdered form and contains a mix of illegal substances such as Ketamine and MDMA, dyed pink with food colouring.

Criminal - Hasell admitted to nine drug supply charges across three separate cases. (Image: Thomas Dalby/ Essex Police)

Messages further showed conversation around the supply of large quantities of cannabis and cocaine.

On Wednesday, June 5, this year, Essex Police executed a warrant at an address in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, finding Hasell at the property.

His phone was seized for further interrogation and Hasell was heard to make significant comments about his drugs supply.

Under the SOCU investigation, Hasell, of Tanys Dell, Harlow, later admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine.

He admitted separate charges of supplying cocaine and cannabis in Essex.

Under a separate Met Police investigation, he admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis, and supplying cocaine and cannabis.

On Friday, at Chelmsford Crown Court, he was jailed for a total of 13 years.

Found - In June, Essex Police executed a warrant in Hertfordshire where they found Hasell. (Image: Essex Police)

Det Insp Frazer Low, of SOCU, said: “This case is a prime example of the risk users take in partaking in illegal drug use.

“You never really know what the substance might contain.

“Drugs such as the those advertised in these messages rarely contain what might be suggested, it’s usually a mix of other drugs and substances.

“Our work involves targeting those criminals who stand to make real profit off the back of this awful trade.

“They may be distanced from the harm the trade in drugs causes on the streets, but they are not out of the spotlight and cannot operate with impunity.

“We are frequently able to detect and build cases against those involved in bringing Class A drugs to our streets.

“This case is just one example, and proves the serious time drug suppliers can expect to face when we catch them.”