Harlow organised criminal Robbie Hasell jailed for 13 years over wholesale drug supply

A police raid on an address in Sawbridgeworth has led to a drug dealer from Harlow involved in the supply of vast quantities of class A substances being jailed for 13 years.

Organised criminal Robbie Hasell, 35, pleaded guilty to nine drug supply charges across three separate cases.

Investigations by Essex Police’s serious and organised crime unit (SOCU) and colleagues with London’s Met police followed warrants executed across north Essex earlier this year.

Police were able to link Hasell to messages which detailed plans to supply substances including designer drug ‘pink cocaine’.

An expert drug witness explained this substance is a fairly new synthetic drug which, despite its street name, is not a variety of cocaine. It is typically found in powdered form and contains a mix of illegal substances such as ketamine and MDMA, dyed pink with food colouring.

Messages further showed conversation around the supply of large quantities of cocaine and cannabis.

On June 5, police executed a warrant at an address in Sawbridgeworth and found Hasell there. His phone was seized and he was heard to make significant comments about his drugs supply.

Under Essex SOCU’s investigation, Hasell, of Tanys Dell, Harlow, later admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine. He admitted separate charges of supplying cocaine and cannabis in Essex.

Under a separate Met police investigation, he admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis, and supplying cocaine and cannabis.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (August 16), he was jailed for a total of 13 years.

Detective Inspector Frazer Low, of Essex SOCU, said: “This case is a prime example of the risk users take in partaking in illegal drug use. You never really know what the substance might contain.

“Drugs such as those advertised in these messages rarely contain what might be suggested, it’s usually a mix of other drugs and substances.

“Our work involves targeting those criminals who stand to make real profit off the back of this awful trade.

“They may be distanced from the harm the trade in drugs causes on the streets, but they are not out of the spotlight and cannot operate with impunity.

“We are frequently able to detect and build cases against those involved in bringing class A drugs to our streets.

“This case is just one example and proves the serious time drug suppliers can expect to face when we catch them.”