By Gavin Mackintosh-
A self-proclaimed “sugar daddy” drug dealer whose brazen flaunting of wealth and criminal exploits captivated social media audiences, has been sentenced to seven and a half years behind bars following a significant cocaine seizure worth by Essex Police.
Cops seized more than £1m worth of cocaine from the flash dealer, after he bragged on social media that someone was missing out before puttig lots of cash in his car.
West’s audacious lifestyle came crashing down following a meticulously executed police raid on a nondescript business unit in Baddow Park, Chelmsford, last August.
Within the confines of this unassuming locale, law enforcement uncovered a cache of damning evidence that would ultimately lead to West’s apprehension and subsequent incarceration.
The pivotal moment in the unraveling of West’s empire came with the discovery of a code-protected door within the unit, concealing the keys to a luxurious black Range Rover parked just outside—a vehicle harboring a trove of illicit contraband.
Upon unlocking the boot, officers were met with a staggering sight: more than 11 kilograms of cocaine, meticulously wrapped in varying quantities and indicative of West’s extensive drug trafficking operation.
This significant haul of narcotics, valued at over £1 million, represented just a fraction of West’s criminal enterprise, as accompanying the cache of cocaine were electronic devices linking him to the wholesale distribution of drugs.
The money Paul West made from cocaine Image: Essex Police
Among the seized materials were incriminating footage of West posing with vast sums of cash and espousing his role as a “sugar daddy,” along with messages detailing arrangements for the supply of large quantities of cocaine.
Following his arrest in Wickford, West initially denied charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, only to later plead guilty on January 8 of this year.
His futile attempts to evade justice underscored the resolve of law enforcement agencies in dismantling illicit networks and holding perpetrators of drug trafficking to account.
Detective Inspector Sarah Hughes emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice, stating, “Make no mistake, this investigation does not stop here – we will pursue him relentlessly to recoup his criminal gains through the Proceeds of Crime Act. Our message is consistently clear: you can’t do this in Essex, and if you do, you’ll be caught.”