A ‘MARIO and Luigi’ drug line running on the streets of Southend has been dismantled by Essex Police as the final offender was put behind bars.

Specialist officers dedicated to cracking drug supply networks across Essex have seen the last member of a county lines operation sentenced.

Robbie Sharp, 39, was the final offender to be sentenced after specialist officers dismantled two lines running drugs from Wales to the streets of Southend and Chelmsford.

Various iterations of these lines used names of characters associated with the Super Mario video game series.

Officers uncovered hundreds of bulk advertising messages sent out to customers between 2021 and 2022.

The “Mario / Luigi” line saw drugs supplied on the streets of Southend, while the “Custom” line saw drugs sold in Chelmsford.

Sharp was found to have played a significant role, higher up in the chain of both lines.

He was arrested after a warrant was executed at his address in Roman Road, London, and initially denied two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He changed his pleas and admitted to his role on the third day of his trial.

Appearing at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, December 20, he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.

Det Sgt Rob Maile, of the Operation Raptor team, said: “This was complex work which involved linking and tracing those involved with two drug lines bringing harmful substances into north and south Essex.

“Drugs are not welcome in Essex.

“We have specialist teams in place throughout the county to tackle this problem and the message to those who are intent on coming into Essex to sell drugs and take advantage of vulnerable people is very simple. We are watching you.

“My teams have a number of sophisticated techniques to catch you. You will be oblivious to the fact we will be building a case with overwhelming evidence until we come for you, remand you and put you before the courts.”

Four co-defendants have already been sentenced for their roles in either the “Mario / Luigi” line or the “Custom” line.