FOR LIFE

JACK Jacovou bought a 20p bag for life at his local supermarket, but it wasn't for his weekly shopping. It was for hiding drugs.

When Essex Police raided a property in Whitehall Close, Colchester, two days before Christmas they found a bag for life containing four blocks of powder cocaine inside an ottoman In total, the blocks contained 3 5kg of cocaine

Jacovou, 41, of Thorpe Road, Kirby Cross, turned out to be a najor player in "exploiting" people through drugs in north Essex and was arrested as part of an intelligence-led operation.

Jacovou's home in Thorpe Road was then raided during which officers found another 2.8kg of cannabis. In total, police seized £234,900 worth of drugs in the raids.

The Essex drug lord was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply Cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He admitted all counts and was sentenced six and a half years in prison at Chelmsford Crown Court

Detective Inspector Frazer Low from Essex Police's serious and organised crime unit, said: “There is no doubt that Jacovou was playing a significant part in the supply of Class A drugs across north Essex.

“The drugs that we seized during this operation were destined for our streets, where they would undoubtedly exploit people and cause harm to our communities

“The work of the team in this investigation was exemplary, from identifying Jacovou, to building a case against that was so strong he was left with no alternative but to admit his guilt.

“We will also be pursuing a serious crime prevention order which we believe will put barriers up to a return to a criminal lifestyle when he leaves prison.

“We’ll be working very closely with the CPS in order to secure the order and some really strong conditions within it ”

Chief Inspector Colin Cox, Colchester district commander, said: “We know the sale and supply of drugs has a real impact on our communities, both in terms of vulnerable people being exploited and the serious violence which very sadly often goes alongside.

“Tackling criminals causing the high harm is an absolute priority for the force and I have no doubt that Colchester is a safer place now that Jacovou is in prison.”