Two men who plotted to flood the streets of Southend with top-quality cocaine were each starting ten-year jail sentences today.

They were part of an international cloak and dagger gang that smuggled about £20,000 worth of the drug from Holland.

Undercover police arrested the pair before they could distribute their dangerous drugs, Basildon Crown Court heard.

A police source said: "This pair could have made an absolute fortune by selling the cocaine in Southend. It was more than 90 per cent in purity and there would have been a huge demand for the stuff."

Jonathan Wheatley, 32, admitted conspiracy to import the Class A drug from Holland.

Wheatley, of Walton Road, Southend, was said to have built up a string of contacts in Amsterdam and helped plan the smuggling of cocaine to Southend and other parts of the country.

He was described as a middle man by Judge Daniel Worsley who added: "You plotted and controlled details to bring the drugs here, but you avoided getting your hands dirty.

"You played a big part in organising the importation, although I accept you were not at the highest level."

His accomplice, 35-year-old Michael Henn, of Coleman Street, Southend, was found guilty by a jury at an earlier hearing of supplying the cocaine.

Henn was told by the judge that he was the link with a woman courier who is also facing charges over the conspiracy.

Tim Hitchcock, prosecuting, said the two men were caught after an elaborate police surveillance operation on the continent.

Mr Hitchcock said phone calls were intercepted and a close watch was kept on Wheatley's movements as he made contact with dealers around the Dutch capital.

Wheatley was referred to as "Matthew" in the scam, and when he was finally captured police searched his home.

They discovered vital documents and receipts from abroad, including one for a gold ring he purchased near the scene of the crime in Amsterdam.

When Henn was questioned about his role in the operation, he gave "no comment" replies.

He was said to have previous convictions for possessing drugs, assault, theft and a firearms offence. Wheatley also had drug-related offences against his name.

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