Maidstone Police have dismantled a cocaine supply chain linked to an organised crime group after uncovering incriminating evidence filmed by one of the offenders.
Riges Kolsi, 20, has been jailed for two years following an operation that exposed his role in dealing cocaine from a town centre base.
Surveillance and Arrest
Kolsi and his associate, Dragos Plesea, 22, were first spotted by plain-clothed officers acting suspiciously on 10 July 2024. Two days later, their vehicle was seen in Hart Street during a suspected drug exchange.
Officers followed and stopped the car nearby, where Kolsi was found driving. A search uncovered cocaine deals hidden in a pot on the passenger seat, £770 in cash, and two knives.
Evidence Uncovered
Kolsi’s mobile phone contained significant evidence, including:
- Messages consistent with coordinating cocaine sales.
- Videos showing drugs being weighed.
- Footage of drugs being prepared for delivery in the car.
Further investigations led officers to a flat on Union Street, where Kolsi and Plesea were staying. The search revealed a large quantity of cocaine and £750 in cash.
https:///youtu.be/jcdvAsoulv4
Court Outcomes
Kolsi pleaded guilty to:
- Possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
- Possession of criminal property (cash).
- Possession of a knife in a public place.
On 16 January 2025, he was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution.
Plesea admitted to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and cannabis possession. He received a two-year suspended sentence.
Police Statement
Chief Inspector Steve Kent said:
“Kolsi and Plesea fulfilled roles in an organised criminal network to supply class A drugs 24/7 in Maidstone and beyond. Cases like this reinforce our commitment to identifying criminals whose illicit trade can have devastating consequences for the wellbeing, mental health, and livelihoods of many users.
“Our message to those who see Maidstone as a destination for organised criminality is clear: there will be consequences. Keep away, or you will be arrested and ultimately brought before the courts.”
Community Impact
The arrests and convictions demonstrate Kent Police’s ongoing efforts to disrupt organised crime and protect the community from the harm caused by class A drug supply networks.
