Cocaine and cannabis dealer in Thurrock jailed for exploiting teen
Luke Clements directed a 16-year-old to sell drugs across South Ockendon
A cocaine and cannabis dealer who used a teenager to sell drugs across several areas in Thurrock has been jailed for three years and six months.
Luke Clements, 36, from South Ockendon, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court after admitting to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.
Essex Police's Operation Raptor, a team focused on targeting drug-related crimes, was behind the investigation.
The operation began after residents reported concerns about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in South Ockendon, Grays, Corringham, and Stanford-le-Hope.
In August 2025, officers discovered a 16-year-old boy involved in supplying cannabis.
Detectives found the teenager was being directed by Clements, who sent messages pressuring him to prioritise drug deals.
In some communications, Clements urged the boy to ignore medical advice and continue dealing drugs.
The investigation led to a warrant being executed at Clements' property in November 2025, where officers seized cannabis, scales, deal bags, and two drug line phones.
Detective Sergeant Tom Whelan-Bassett from Operation Raptor said:
"We want to reassure our communities that concerns about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour are being acted upon.
"Our officers work tirelessly to build evidence against those involved in supplying illegal drugs and causing harm in our communities.
"This investigation uncovered evidence showing a teenager was being directed to support this drugs line while those responsible attempted to distance themselves from the criminality.
"Drug dealers may believe using others will keep them out of sight and out of reach of the police. Cases like this show they are mistaken.
"We also have safeguarding officers embedded within our teams who work alongside partners to support people who are vulnerable to exploitation linked to drug networks.
"The sentence handed to Clements reflects the serious harm caused not only by the drugs being supplied but by the impact these networks have on the people they draw into their criminality.
"We will continue targeting those responsible wherever they operate in Essex."