TWENTY criminals are today starting sentences totalling nearly 80 years after a massive undercover drugs operation by Essex Police.

TWENTY drug offenders are today starting prison sentences totalling nearly 80 years handed down by an Essex court after an undercover police operation led to a series of raids.

The prosecutions follow a major drugs operation masterminded by Essex Police which saw homes throughout Colchester and east London raided by officers on Thursday, November 4.

Suspects were arrested and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and pleaded guilty, appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing yesterday.

The judge handed down prison time of nearly 80 years to the culprits, who were:

- Daniel Archer, 24, of Rochdale Way, Colchester, was sentenced to five years for two counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Gregory Atkins, 33, of Colchester Road, Wivenhoe, sentenced to three-and-a-half years for four counts of supplying class A drugs as well as abstracting electricity.

- Mark Dooley, 44, of Almond Way, Colchester, sentenced to three years for eight counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Harrie Hayward, 20, of Butt Road, Colchester, sentenced to 18 months for one count of supplying class A drugs.

- Jaime Kettle, 30, of Edith Road, Clacton, sentenced to three-and-a-half years for six counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Mark Nunn, 34, of Hunters Ridge, Colchester, sentenced to two years for three counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Sian Quinlan, 25, of no fixed address, sentenced to three years nine months for six counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Joslin Rudder, 19, of Union Road, Romford, sentenced to five years for three counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Catharine Schofield, 46, of Old Heath Road, Colchester, sentenced to three years for one count of supplying class A drugs.

- Jamie Thomas, 32, of Gardenia Walk, Colchester, sentenced to four years and three months for eight counts of supplying class A drugs and one of possession.

- Stephen Webb, 37, of Artillery Street, Colchester, sentenced to two years and three months for one count of supplying class A drugs.

- Wesley West, 23, of Forest Road in Colchester, sentenced to three years for one count of supplying class A drugs and one count of possession.

- Robert Yexley, 23, of Butt Road, Colchester, sentenced to 18 months for one count of supplying class A drugs.

- Ali Ahmed, 20, of Ham Park Road, Stratford, sentenced to two years nine months for 20 counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Ola Bashorun, 29, of Driffield Road, Victoria Park, London, sentenced to three years for eight counts of supplying class A drugs and two counts of possession.

- Johnnie Crosby, 36, of Bridgeway, Barking, sentenced to three years nine months for eight counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Waqar Ghani, 23, of Cedars Road, Stratford, was sentenced to two years for two counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Abdul-hakeem Muhammad, 24, of Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, London, sentenced to two years nine months for three counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Jason Odle, 29, of Somerford Grove Estate, Shacklewell, London, sentenced to two-and-a-half years for seven counts of supplying class A drugs.

- Rodney Addo, 30, of Cassland Road, Hackney, sentenced to seven years for 12 counts of possession.

Ch Supt Alison Newcomb, divisional commander for Essex Police’s Eastern Division, said: “The sentences handed down today are testament to the hard work of my officers over many months to ensure these criminals were brought to justice.

“We know that there is a close link between drug abuse and crimes such as burglaries and thefts and offenders often steal to fund their habit, continuing the cycle of crime. This is why the supply of illegal drugs affects the lives of so many people.”

Police praised the help and information given to them from the local community in tackling the offenders.

A further eight people remain within the court system to appear at later dates.