Chelmsford drug dealer operating as 'unlicensed chemist' jailed for six years

Police discovered more than 50,000 pills and tablets of varying types at his residence on Wood Street in Chelmsford.

A drug dealer who was operating as an “unlicensed chemist” and selling prescription drugs online has been jailed for six years, according to Essex Police.

The convict, identified as 49-year-old Christopher Depp, aka David Jones, was supplying a range of drugs from his home to “vulnerable people” using the postal service, local police revealed on Friday (February 16).

Police conducted a search operation at his address in Wood Street, Chelmsford, in July last year and found more than 50,000 pills and tablets of varying types, stashed in toolboxes and spaces around the property.

To process the large-scale sale and shipping of controlled drugs across the UK, Depp had set up a room in his property as an office space.

He promoted the sale of medications through various social media platforms and messaging applications, and accepted payment from his large customer base using “fraudulently obtained” bank accounts.

Depp admitted offering to supply a controlled drug of Class A and being involved in the distribution of a controlled drug of Class B and a controlled drug of Class C.

He also admitted possessing identity documents with intent, an article for use in fraud, and a controlled drug of Class B.

Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday 14 February sentenced him to six years of prison.

Essex Police detective inspector Frazer Low described it as “an unusual case” as Depp was mainly serving customers looking to obtain prescription drugs.

“This doesn’t make the operation any less dangerous. These drugs should only have been accessible and available to those who had seen their doctor and obtained a prescription,” he said.

According to Low, Depp had “no regard” for the quantities of medication his customers consumed or “the reasons for their consumption.”

“This was not a service for those in need, it was run as a business preying upon often vulnerable people seeking medication for their illnesses, putting them at risk,” he added.