Dagenham drug dealer who sold in Colchester is jailed

Nasser Al-Rashed was left with no option but to admit his role in the Ash drug line, which was supplying crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis to users in Colchester.

Specialist officers from Essex Police’s Op Raptor North team were able to prove the 25-year-old was a key figure in the line after it came to their attention in March.

Further work on the line, which was sending bulk marketing messages to drug users, meant officers were able to link it to the Hackney area of London, and then to Al-Rashed.

Al-Rashed, of Linkway, Dagenham, was arrested on May 19 in London and, during that arrest, was found to be in possession of two mobile phones, one of which was linked to a second drugs line.

Jailed - Nasser Al-Rashed

In a subsequent search of an address linked to him, officers found crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis, to a total value of about £4,600.They also located a Nokia phone which was found to be the handset which housed the Ash line.

Al-Rashed was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply a Class B drug.

He admitted the charges and was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday to a total of five years and nine months in prison.

Detective Sergeant James Pamment, who leads the Op Raptor North team, has now warned drug dealers who think they can get away with their crimes that they are “wrong”.

Evidence - messages on one of Al-Rashed's mobile devices

“Through the team’s work, they were able to present overwhelming evidence to the courts which detailed Al-Rashed’s involvement in the Ash line, which was supplying Class A drugs into Colchester,” said Mr Pamment.

“The lines came to our attention in March and by May the team had been able to identify its holder and where they lived in London.

“That work led to Al-Rashed’s arrest and unfortunately for him, he was left with no option but to admit the charges and accept the sentence handed to him in court.”