The alleged dealers lived a lavish lifestyle, the court heard

Court: ‘Cocaine dealers had £178k worth of drug in van’

Court reporter Thursday, January 24, 2013
2:00 PM

Three alleged big-spending cocaine dealers were caught after a police swoop in Romford, which netted £178,000 worth of the drug, a jury was told on Monday.

The gang, who enjoyed “cash and luxuries”, had been under surveillance, Croydon Crown Court heard.

Mark Boorman, 24, of Laurel Crescent, Rush Green, and Toby Kallar, 26, of Airthrie Road, Ilford, have denied conspiring to supply cocaine on or before July 19 last year.

A third man, Daniel Skurr, 24, of Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, has pleaded guilty to the charge and to a charge of driving a van dangerously and while disqualified in Rush Green Road, Rush Green.

Accelerated

He will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.

Prosecutor Susana Stevens said police observations began in “quiet and remote” Little Gerpins Lane, Upminster.

The three set off “in convoy”, Skurr driving a van and Kallar and Boorman in separate cars before being stopped by police after several miles, it was said.

“Skurr accelerated hard and mounted the pavement and there is a police chase,” explained Miss Stevens. “Skurr abandoned the van and was arrested on foot.”

It is said in the van police found one kilo of cocaine of 89 per cent purity.

Police ordered Kallar to get out of his car, the court heard.

“Boorman also mounted the pavement and tried to follow Skurr, but the police were too quick.”

Officers are said to have recovered “cash and luxuries” from the defendants’ homes. The trial continues.

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