Jailed dealer made ecstasy pills in grandma's shed

Police said dealers like Frankie Lee Watkinson "decide the potency and authenticity of the pills they create... a very real danger"

A drug dealer who manufactured ecstasy pills in his grandmother’s shed has been jailed.

Frankie Lee Watkinson's operation was found in his relative's garden in Thurrock in Essex, along with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine in a safe hidden in the loft in her house.

The 31-year-old, of Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Clacton-on-Sea, admitted possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, namely cocaine, and to producing MDMA and ecstasy and he was jailed for five years at Basildon Crown Court.

Det Insp Yoni Adler, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Watkinson showed little concern for the fallout of his offending on his wider family.”

Essex Police officers found ecstasy pill manufacturing equipment in Watkinson's grandmother's shed in south Essex

Essex Police said Watkinson’s grandmother’s home was raided in January - and ecstasy pill manufacturing equipment was found in the shed, which was named The Dog House.

They uncovered a pill press machine covered in fresh, loose powder, bags of suspected MDMA, powder-covered gloves and loose pills.

During the raid on Watkinson's grandmother's home, police found ecstasy and cocaine

During a search of the loft, a small safe secured into the beams was also discovered.

After opening it using a key seized from Watkinson upon his arrest, 108g of cocaine valued at between £4,300 and £8,600 was found.

The force said officers then searched his caravan on the north-east Essex coast and seized a customer list and 15 mobile phones.

Watkinson initially denied the charges before eventually changing his plea.

The pill press machine was found in the shed

"This case shows the depths to which organised Class A drug dealers will sink to facilitate their harmful trade," added Det Insp Adler.

“The reality of ecstasy isn’t glamourous and it’s dealers like Watkinson, operating out of grubby, makeshift manufacturing labs, who choose what to cut the MDMA with.

“By their own reckless metrics, they decide the potency and authenticity of the pills they create.

"You can never be sure of what you are taking. It is a very real danger."

Cocaine worth thousands of pounds was seized by officers