Drug Dealer Joel Henry Jailed for Seven Years After Crack and Heroin Bust
Convicted drug dealer Joel Henry, 40, has been locked up for seven years following a four-day trial at Chichester Crown Court. The Lambeth resident was found guilty of distributing crack cocaine and heroin.
Daily Run from London to Hastings for Drug Dealing
Henry shuttled daily between his home on Lakeview Road, Lambeth, and Hastings to push Class A drugs. Police caught him red-handed on November 8 with a burner phone, strengthening the evidence of his drug empire.
Text Blasts Spread Illegal Drug Sales
Data uncovered a steady stream of bulk messages sent by Henry, advertising crack cocaine and heroin to users across Hastings and nearby areas. His deals posed a grave danger to local communities.
Three Strikes: Previous Convictions Seal His Fate
This wasn’t Henry’s first brush with the law. Already convicted twice for Class A drug supply, this third offence left the judge no choice but to hand down a mandatory seven-year prison sentence.
Joint Police Operation Nets Major Win
The prosecution was the result of a full-court press involving the Metropolitan Police’s Op Orochi, Sussex and Surrey police’s Op Centurion, and Project ADDER in Hastings. Their teamwork took a major dealer off the streets.
Investigator Julian Stokes of Project ADDER said: “We are determined to identify and smash County Lines operations and get these dangerous criminals off our streets.”
