SEVEN members of an Essex-based crime group who conspired to supply cocaine with a street value of £7m have been jailed thanks to meticulous business records kept by a ringleader.

The men were jailed for a total of 60 years following a seven month investigation by the Metropolitan Police Organised Crime Command and Kent Police.

Another man is set to be jailed at a later date.

Between September 2015 and April 2016, police arrested and charged 16 individuals, seizing about 70 kilos of cocaine with a purity ranging from 70 to 91 per cent.

A further 26 kilos of a cutting agent, Benzocaine, was also recovered.

Officers found a ledger at the home of one of the group’s leaders, Peter Jones, 29, of Main Road, Margaretting, which revealed details of completed cocaine deals and earnings running into millions of pounds.

As well as Jones, IIir Krasniqi, 34, and Xhulio Haidare, 35, both of Codham Hall Lane, Brentwood, were identified as leading figures in the distribution of the cocaine.

Majkelli Pire, 21, of Grasmead Avenue, Leigh, a trusted companion of Krasniqi and Haidare, managed a number of safe houses in Essex, where the cocaine was stored prior to distribution.

Michael Xenofontos, 46, of Sutton Road, Southend, Robert Wylie, 39, of Maltings Lane, Orsett, Gary Fox, 56, of Dendridge Close, Enfield, and Chase Moore, 33, of Columbia Road, Broxbourne, Herts, were closely linked to the group’s leaders and entrusted with the storage and distribution of the drugs.

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Det Insp Ian Gibson, of the Met’s Organised Crime Command, said: "This well-established group conspired together to import and distribute large amounts of cocaine throughout London and the Home Counties.

“The evidence gathered and presented by police was overwhelming, leading to guilty pleas from those involved at all levels of the supply chain.

“The complete dismantling of this group has stopped the supply of a significant amount of drugs on the streets of London.

“The substantial custodial sentences handed down by the court should act as a deterrent to those involved in criminal and gang related activity.

“The Metropolitan Police has a zero tolerance approach to drug supply and we will continue to target those causing harm to London’s communities."

Jones, Krasniqi, Haidare, Fox, Pire, Moore and Xenofontos all admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine at Kingston Crown Court on August 18.

Robert Wylie also admitted possession with intent to supply 36 kilos of cocaine and possessing a prohibited article, namely pepper spray, at a previous hearing.

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The men were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday.

Jones got 15 years, Haidare, got 11 years and Krasniqi will be sentenced at a later date.

Robert Wylie was jailed for eight years and eight months, Gary Fox was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and Majkelli Pire was sentenced to six years and eight months.

Chase Moore was jailed for six years, and Michael Xenofontos was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Another eight people were convicted and sentenced in connection with the investigation at a previous hearing.