Brighton Drug Dealers Jailed After Major Bust
Two men caught red-handed with class A drugs in Brighton have landed behind bars. Ivan Bokolo and Ebrima Macauley were sentenced after police uncovered a stash of heroin and crack at a Cannon Place address.
Police Catch Dealers Returning to Crime Scene
Officers spotted Bokolo and Macauley heading back to the property, which was already under surveillance. Bokolo made a desperate attempt to dismantle his phone and even swallowed a SIM card as cops moved in.
He was later spotted running drug operations from a rented property in Richmond Place.
Luxury Lifestyle Exposed Amid Drug Supplies
Police found a Louis Vuitton drawstring bag containing 100 wraps of class A drugs and a whopping £5,000 hidden in a cooker extractor fan. Designer clothes inside the flat clashed starkly with Bokolo’s unemployed status.
County Lines Operation Brought Down
The court heard that the drugs lab was uncovered at 8am on August 23, 2020, during a separate police enquiry. Over 200 wraps of heroin and crack were seized.
On November 17, 2021, Bokolo was caught with a phone linked to a notorious drug line called “Rico,” used to send bulk texts advertising deals.
Bokolo got nine and a half years, while Macauley was handed eight years for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, as part of the ongoing Operation Orochi crackdown.
Detective Sergeant Mark Pinder, Brighton CID, said: “Bokolo and Macauley were distributing drugs that wreak havoc in our communities. They were part of a county lines gang running operations from London into Sussex and Suffolk.”
“This conviction proves our commitment to shutting down drug supply and protecting residents from its harm. We work closely with other forces, including the Met Police and Operation Orochi.”
“Dealers bringing class A drugs to Brighton and Hove will not be tolerated. We’re pleased with the tough prison sentences handed down today.”
