Nine Jailed After Police Investigation Reveals London to Essex Drug Line

A group of associates involved in a drug network which operated between Hackney and Colchester have been sentenced to prison after surveillance and raids that found £55k in cash, scales and substances.

Following a six-month investigation in 2022, nine men from London have been jailed this week for conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine. The investigation named “The Dog Line” carried out by the Met Police from September 2022, found a drug operation running from Hackney to Colchester, Witham and Leigh-on-Sea.

The Met were able to identify a phone number connected to the drugs supply and then build on this using cell data and surveillance to uncover the network. Members of the gang were found making continual journeys on the A12 between London and Colchester, using rental cars supplied by Enterprise, in a bid to avoid detection. Members of the gang were arrested on 14th March 2023.

(Coursework note to Mark – I would’ve included the addresses of those involved to avoid implications of false accusations, but I could not get them).

The network of men consisted of: Germain Mothersill, 43, who was identified as the controller of the drug line with the help from his associate Michael Marks, 39. Helping Marks was his associates: Ricardo Thompson, 38, and Adonitah Thomas, 37, with Tyrone Daley, 40, as an associate of Thomas. Also involved in the network were: Paul Chung, 55, Rasine Vassel, 25, Chad Doyle, 30, and Martin Wigzel, 56.

-SENTENCING-

The nine man group were jailed for over 30 years.

Michael Marks, 39, was sentenced to 9 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property. 

Germain Mothersill, 43, was sentenced to 4 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property. 

Tyrone Daley, 40, was sentenced to 4 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. 

Rasine Vassel, 25, was sentenced to 3 years and 11 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

Adonitah Thomas, 37, was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Paul Chung, 55, was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

Martin Wigzel, 56, was given a 2 year suspended sentence, 200 hours of community service and 40 hours of rehab.

Chad Doyle, 30, has had a warrant issued for his arrest (although he’s already in custody for a previous conviction).

Ricardo Thompson, 38, and Rasine Vasell, 25, had been acquitted by the jury.

-EVIDENCE-

Following their arrest, Police searched the suspects’ addresses. £25k and $5k was hidden in various places at Marks’ address as well as large amounts of brown powder, sets of scales and numerous phones which were linked to the conspiracy.

Vassel had over £3k in cash, evidence of class A supply (scales and blades with powder on), a wrap of a suspected class A drug, Enterprise car keys and numerous phones linked to the conspiracy.

Thomas had £500 in cash, scales with traces of white powder and phones linked to the conspiracy.

Mothersill had approximately £2k cash and numerous phones linked to the conspiracy.

Daley’s address had heroin, scales, two jars of herbal cannabis and a mobile phone.

Chung had approximately £2k in cash and handsets linked to the conspiracy.

Wigzel had two mobile phones at his address.

Appearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday 21st February 2024, before sentencing, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reminded the judge of the motives given by the defendants’ defence barristers. They told the court the motives for supplying drugs was to support their families including their children and to fund gambling and drug addiction.

In court, judge HHJ Oscar Del Fabbro rejected the argument of family and said the motive was for self-gain. He said: “Although I am sure you all do care for your family, the motive behind this operation was purely for financial greed. You all have something to give and could’ve found legitimate ways to help provide for your families.”

Judge HHJ Del Fabbro passed the sentencing after the jury found seven of the nine guilty of conspiring to supply class A drugs, with some also guilty of possession of criminal property.