A 71-year-old drugs courier has been jailed for his role in a major organised crime network that funnelled millions of pounds’ worth of cocaine into Essex.
William England, of Hamlet Drive, Colchester, who transported large quantities of cocaine and cash for the gang, was sentenced to five years and five months in prison on May 26.
His conviction marks the final sentencing in a complex investigation that has brought down the entire network.
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He joins nine others—ranging from wholesale suppliers to street-level dealers—who have now all been convicted and sentenced, with total prison sentences exceeding 45 years.
The investigation, led by Essex Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, dismantled the "sophisticated" supply chain over two years.
Detective Inspector Frazer Low, who led the case, said: "This was a sophisticated and organised operation responsible for moving significant quantities of Class A drugs into our communities.
"Over the course of a detailed two-year investigation, we have methodically dismantled this network from the top down – identifying those at every level, from the organiser sourcing drugs in bulk to those distributing them on our streets.
"The individuals involved sought to profit from the harm and exploitation associated with the cocaine trade, using legitimate businesses and residential addresses to try to hide their activity.
"We have shown that this will not protect them.
"The sentences handed down, totalling more than 45 years’ imprisonment, reflect both the scale of this operation and the seriousness of the offences committed."
At the top of the chain was Jack Hollister, 35, from Manningtree.
He was responsible for sourcing and supplying large volumes of cocaine through a network of dealers and used his business, Paradon Developments Ltd, as a front for the illicit operation.
Financial enquiries revealed that around £1 million flowed through his company during the conspiracy, despite only a fraction of that being legitimately declared.
During the investigation, officers seized more than 11.5kg of cocaine with a street value of over £1 million from properties linked to Hollister.
He was arrested on February 5, 2024, as he exited his Porsche at his home.
A search of a garden shed uncovered five kilogram blocks of cocaine, while additional blocks were found on land owned by his company in Raydon, Suffolk.
Hollister admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine.
He was sentenced on October 3, 2025, to nine years and four months in prison.
England denied the offences but was found guilty at trial.
The investigation also led to the convictions of a wider network of associates.
Hollister supplied cocaine to wholesale dealers Hans Kvadsheim, 32, Terry Lawmon, 32, and Franky Brown, 28.
Kvadsheim used the home of associate Lee Hawkins, 32, in Legerton Drive, Clacton, for cutting and preparing the drugs delivered by England.
Hawkins was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with unpaid work in September 2024.
Kvadsheim admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and MDMA, and transferring criminal property. He was sentenced in October 2025 to eight years’ imprisonment.
Officers seized 11kg of cocaine, valued at around £1 million.
He later admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was jailed for seven years and six months in February 2024.
Lawmon operated from his gym, Physical Limits in Clacton, distributing cocaine to other dealers.
He was arrested on June 3, 2024, leaving his home in Barco Square, Colchester.
Lawmon later admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon. He was sentenced on June 12 last year to six years and three months’ imprisonment.
Brown was arrested on March 23, 2024, at his home in North Road, Clacton, where Perry Vickers, 32, was also taken into custody.
Vickers had allowed the property to be used for storing and preparing drugs.
Brown was jailed in September 2024 for five years and six months for possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.
Vickers was sentenced to an 18 month community order, including unpaid work and rehabilitation activity.
Lewis Long, 26, and Luke Walker, 33, who purchased cocaine from Lawmon to fund their own dealing operations were also sentenced.
Long, from Jaywick, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of cannabis and was jailed last June for four years and four months.
Walker, of Great Bentley, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy, and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements in August 2025.
