Firearm Found in Pizza Box as Police Smash County Lines Drug Gang
Three men from Dartford, Bexleyheath, and Belvedere have been charged following a dramatic police raid targeting county lines drug networks. The jaw-dropping moment? Officers found a firearm hidden inside a pizza box during the swoop.
Drug Bust Uncovers Weapons and Class A Drugs
The British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce, working with Kent Police, led the crackdown. The operation included high-visibility patrols at railway stations across the region.
As the operation unfolded, police seized Class A drugs, two knives, and arrested eight suspects in total. The discovery of the concealed weapon inside the pizza box was a particular highlight.
Teen Caught Red-Handed with Drugs and Firearm
Officers spotted a suspicious teenager acting oddly near a station. After a brief chase, he was detained and searched. Cannabis and cash were found on him. The real shock came when police searched his bedroom — a firearm hidden inside a pizza box and quantities of cocaine were uncovered.
The teenager now faces charges for possession of a firearm and involvement in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.
More Arrests and Charges
- Edward Kpakra, 24, of Lower Road, Belvedere, and Matthew Simon, 28, of Knights Manor Way, Dartford, have both been charged with possession of a bladed article.
- Kelly Aghedo, 18, of Latham Road, Bexleyheath, is charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
All eight arrested individuals remain under investigation as the police continue to dismantle the wider criminal network.
Police Praise Operation as a Major Win
Detective Inspector Ian Henderson of the British Transport Police hailed the swoop as a “success story” for rail users and local communities.
“Dangerous weapons have been taken off the streets alongside a substantial haul of drugs,” he said.
“Our County Lines Taskforce, alongside local forces, targets those peddling drugs and weapons on the rail network.”
Despite the high-visibility patrols, Henderson reassured the public that similar covert operations run around the clock.
“You don’t have to see us to know we’re there.”
Fighting Back Against County Lines Gangs
County lines gangs exploit vulnerable youths to ferry drugs between cities and rural spots, often using rail networks to move narcotics and cash. This latest bust is part of ongoing efforts to smash these dangerous networks and keep weapons and drugs off our streets.
