'Southend man found with £5k was part of drug gang’

Michael Miller, 22, of Westborough Road, Westcliff is standing trial accused of supplying drugs across Southend and Westcliff last summer.

The jury at Basildon Crown Court was told yesterday how Miller was found with the cash before his mobile and his car were linked to drug dealing.

His brother Timothy Miller, 23, of the same address and Salim Juma, 19, from Chichester Road, Southend admitted supplying drugs yesterday on the first day of the trial.

They will be sentenced at a later date following the conclusion of the trial.

Prosecuting Alistair Walker said: “This was a county line drugs trafficking this man ran with his brother, called Dollar Line and it supplied crack cocaine and heroin.

“This number ending in 0394 was the one to call if you needed class a drugs in Southend and Westcliff and they sent messages to contacts so sell the drugs such as “back on.”

“There is data showing the use of the phone and where it was used to drop off the drugs and be topped up with credit. We say it’s not a coincidence the defendant was located and associated with the same locations as this phone.

“Michael and Timothy Miller seemed to be in control of this drugs line. The other three defendants admissions do not prove Michael Miller was involved and controlling it.

“Data also shows the line was associated and located with the defendant cars a Ford Focus a number of times last summer and we say this is significant and was frequent.”

Mr Walker also told the court how Michael Millers personal phone and the drugs line phone were never in contact with each other but both shared one contact number owned by his father.

He told the jury he was found with £5,000 in cash from the sale of the drugs at his home when he was arrested.

A fourth man Raymond Potter, 38, of Wenham Drive, Westcliff, also admitted drugs offences in a previous court hearing.

The four were arrested by Essex Police’s Operation Raptor Team. The trial continues.