'Significant drugs haul' confiscated as dealer jailed
Neighbourhood policing officers were alerted to suspicious activity at a house in New Street
Last updated 19th Aug 2026
Essex Police Neighbourhood officers recovered a huge haul of Class A & B drugs and prescription-only pills after arresting a man on a Chelmsford street for cannabis possession.
Wayne Powell, 56, has been jailed for three years and four months for various drugs offences and for possession of criminal property, including £50,000 in cash and various designer goods.
Neighbourhood policing officers were alerted to suspicious activity at a house in New Street by city council CCTV operators on 6 April 2026.
Powell was one of several men stopped and searched on suspicion of being in possession of drugs after being observed entering and leaving the address over short periods of time
Powell tried to escape detention and was arrested on suspicion of cannabis possession. When officers searched him, they found keys to his flat inside the property.
Police recovered £50,000 cash, designer goods and a wide selection of Class A, B & C drugs, including:
- 192 grammes of crack cocaine
- 83 grammes of cocaine
- 63 grammes of heroin
- 225 grammes of mushrooms (psilocin)
- 899 doses of LSD
- 500+ ecstasy (MDMA) pills
- 4 grammes of methadone
- 84 grammes of cannabis resin
- 1,118 tablets of Class C prescription-only pills, including Xanax, zopiclone and diazepam
Powell was charged with three counts of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, one of possession of Class B drugs (cannabis) with intent to supply and one of possession of Class C drugs with intent to supply, one count of possession of Class A drugs (mushrooms) and one count of possession of criminal property – relating to the cash and designer goods.
Chelmsford Neighbourhood Policing Team sergeant Sarah Jeans said:
“My officers moved quickly after being tipped off to suspicious activity at a property in New Street by Chelmsford City Council’s CCTV operators.
“Inside Powell’s flat they found a large quantity of illegal drugs, together with £50,000 in cash, scales, bags and drug menus. Not only that but Powell’s phone contained messages suggesting links to a wider drugs operation.
“This, coupled with evidence from Chelmsford CID’s further investigations, left Powell with no choice but to plead guilty at court at his first opportunity.
“I am confident that, together, we have closed down a significant drugs operation in our city, helping to reduce the very real damage drugs misuse does to people’s health, the lives of those around them and to their local communities.”
Powell is due to appear at the same court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing relating to this case on 7 October 2026.