Harlow dealer Leon Finnegan who ran drugs line from jail gets more time

Leon Finnegan was caught running the drug line while serving a five-and-a-half year prison sentence

A prisoner who ran a drug line from his cell has been jailed for a further ten years and nine months.

Leon Finnegan, 35, was serving a five-and-a-half-year sentence for his role in the BEN drug line, which supplied crack cocaine and heroin in Harlow.

However, Essex Police said the line stayed active despite his imprisonment.

Its officers subsequently examined records of Finnegan's phone calls from prison, which showed he continued to "direct and advise" other drug dealers.

It followed the discovery of a mobile phone during a search of his prison cell, with officers cracking the passcode after Finnegan refused to provide access.

The BEN drug line peddled heroin and crack cocaine from London into Harlow, where it was sold on the streets

He pleaded guilty to two offences of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

During sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 2 February, Judge Timothy Walker said it was "clear" Finnegan continued to play a "significant role" in the drug line from behind bars.

Essex Police said other offenders who worked for the line had already been sentenced.

DC Emily Larkin added: "[Finnegan's] considerable prison sentence marks the last of the BEN line to be jailed and serves to show how seriously the courts take drug dealing matters.

"The message here is clear: Those who seek to use those suffering from addictions to further their criminal aims will be held accountable for their actions."