The police officer who led a "relentless" investigation into a Southend drugs gang has slammed the ringleaders who left "exploited children" in their wake.

The Pablo line operated in the Southend area, exploiting a vulnerable drug user by using her home as a base.

Police officers responsible for dismantling the network found Leon Frroku, 20, and Nathan Muskitta, 23, ran a "sophisticated" operation which differed from the typical illicit set-ups regularly uncovered by Essex Police.

Frroku was identified as the dealer responsible for directing the runners on the ground, while Muskitta was behind the sending of bulk marketing messages advertising Class A drugs to vulnerable users.

PC Phil O’Connell, officer in the case, said: “The operation behind the Pablo drug line was different from the typical network we usually see.

“It involved the regular changing of phone numbers used to control the sale of harmful and dangerous illicit drugs and the running of the operation.

“Our diligent and relentless investigation into those behind the operation, conducted over a lengthy period of time, left them with no choice but to admit to their crimes.”

The Pablo operation utilised an operational drug line phone as the “face” of the scheme.

Following the sending of bulk messages advertising crack cocaine and heroin, responses were diverted to an alternative number.

Throughout the course of the force's relentless investigation, investigating offcers uncovered a total of 10 different divert numbers.

Frroku played a leading role in the scheme, despite breaching a suspended prison sentence imposed just last year for his role in a separate drugs line.

He was the main controller of the divert phone lines and directed runners – including a juvenile – to undertake the dangerous work of dealing Class A drugs on the streets.

Muskitta was entrusted with holding the main Pablo line phone.

Police say they managed to track more than 4,000 outgoing advertising messages across a 23-week period.

Frroku and Muskitta were arrested in June 2022, with Frroku caught throwing a bag of Class A drugs worth £25,000 from a window of a property in Shoebury.

Both defendants made no comment to officers in interview, but later admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

At Basildon Crown Court on Friday (July 7), Frroku, of Colne Drive, Shoebury, was jailed for eight years and two months, while Muskitta, of Boscombe Road, Southend, was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

PC O'Connell added: “The dealing of Class A drugs is not a business model. It is a criminal enterprise which leaves vulnerable users and exploited children in its wake.

“Southend and wider Essex are safer places for every line we dismantle. We will not stop and those who work to bring drugs into the county will be caught.”

Among the couriers sentenced for being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin were a 17-year-old boy, from Southend, who was sentenced to a two-year youth referral order, supervision requirement and activity requirement.

Mckinnon Chaviri, 22, of Wool Pack, Shoebury, was sentenced to 23 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work while Jessica Osman, 20, of Stanier Close, Southend, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a curfew order attached.

Sherraldine Gallagher, 56, of Southchurch Road, Southend, also admitted two counts of permitting a premises to be used for sale of Class A, and was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation orders attached.