Pitsea mum and daughter jailed for drug dealing
The pair were linked to the sale of illegal drugs in Basildon
A mum and daughter have been jailed for thier roles in running a drug dealing operation in Basildon.
42 year old Melanie Hobbs and 23 year old Keani Hobbs, both of Eastbrooks Place in Pitsea, were involved in the sale of cocaine and cannabis.
They also used the bank account of 19 year old Jack Pollard, of Wicklow Walk in Shoebury, to accept payments for the drugs.
The trio were caught after officers obtained a warrant to search their home.
They found messages on Pollard's phone linked to drug dealing, as well as cocaine wraps and drug paraphernalia.
Similar messages were found on a phone belonging to Melanie Hobbs.
At the home, officers found thousands of pounds worth of luxury goods, as well as a tanning booth and a hot tub.
All of the items are believed to have been bought from the proceeds of drug dealing.
Melanie Hobbs and Keani Hobbs were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and Pollard was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
All admitted the charges at Basildon Crown Court
Melanie was handed 49 months in prison.
Keani, who was already in prison for manslaughter, was given a further 43 months behind bars.
Luke was handed a suspended 23 month prison sentence and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
PC Daniel Olney, a specialist officer with Essex Police, led the investigation.
He said: “From the expensive items seen at the home, it was clear Melanie and Keani Hobbs were living well beyond their means.
“They were flaunting their criminal lifestyles and were clearly also bringing up children in this appalling illicit lifestyle.
“What they didn’t know was that while the carried out their criminal acts, we were building a strong, incontestable case against them and they had no option but to admit their guilt.
“Both Melanie and Keani Hobbs will now have a sustained period behind bars to consider their actions.”