Essex Police launched an investigation on July 2, 2023, after a man died in Chelmsford, who was found to have taken the drug before his death.
A wrap of heroin at the scene was taken for testing and was found to contain a synthetic substance with a higher potency than heroin.
Officers found that the drugs were being sold by a drug line active in Chelmsford since May 2023, which often supplied crack cocaine and heroin to users and relied on using children as drug runners.
Phil Nwosu, of Dale Close, New Barnet, was found to be the leader of the line.
It was found that the 23-year-old was using a 15-year-old boy from London to transport drugs across Chelmsford.
The teenager was still wearing his school uniform when he was arrested on July 4 along with 70-year-old Malcolm McKinnon, of Theobald Street in Borehamwood.
A warrant was later carried out in Edmonton that same day and two people were- Tae Barker and Thalia Nortey – were arrested.
Phones seized linked the pair to Class A drug supply and the same drug line.
The following day on July 5 that year, Nwosu was arrested at his home in Dale Close and suspected crack cocaine and heroin were seized.
All four were charged and later admitted to being concerned in the supply of crack cosine and heroin.
They appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (March 28) this year.
Nwosu was jailed for four years and four months, while McKinnon was jailed for three years and four month.
Nortey, 19, of Hoptree Close in Woodside Park, and Barker, 202, of Dendridge Close in Enfield, were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years with Conditions to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Detective Superintendent Antony Alcock, head of our Serious Violence Unit, said: “Sadly, we could not safeguard the man who lost his life taking drugs dealt by this line.
“Our thoughts remain with him and his family.
“Cases like this prove the lethal consequences of taking Class A drugs.
“You can never be confident in knowing what you’re getting, you never know what other adulterants those drugs may contain.”
“Drug lines like the ‘Baby’ line are led by people willing to resort to violence, intimidation or exploitation to make money.
“They hold little to no interest in the welfare or lives of the addicts their awful trade destroys.”
