On Saturday 24 June 2023, constables from Kent Police’s Proactive Targeting Team were in the town when they spotted an Audi that appeared to be exceeding the speed limit in Rusthall.
They followed and saw the vehicle stop in Grange Gardens, where a woman walked over to the car and got into the passenger seat. The officers approached and detained the driver, Xheladin Thaci, for a drug search. They recovered 70 bags of cocaine in the front offside door pocket, a further 20 hidden inside a cigarette packet, and a mobile phone.
Thaci, of Islip Road, Oxford was arrested, refused to give officers the PIN to his phone, and was later charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply and driving without insurance. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Thursday 28 September, the 25-year-old was jailed for two years and one month.
Detective Constable Nell Shortis, of West Kent CID, said: ‘Another dealer seeking to supply cocaine in Kent has been brought to justice. These offenders’ efforts are generally in vain as our officers are very quick to spot travelling criminals and are relentless in their efforts to locate hidden class A drugs.
‘Our message to county line dealers is clear – it is not a matter of if you are going to be arrested, but when.’
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