A key member of Thanet’s county lines drug operation has been sentenced to Overover five years in prison.

Arrest and Charges

Officers investigating the so-called ‘Larry’ line identified a house on england/westbrook/”>Westbrook Road, Margate, as a hub for drug dealing in the region. On Wednesday, 25 June 2025, they arrested Joel Loba on suspicion of being involved in the supply of drugs. During the arrest, officers seized three phones, £1,360 in cash, and class A substances hidden on his person.

Evidence and Court Proceedings

Investigators had previously identified three phone numbers that sent Bulkbulk marketing messages to known class A drug users in the Margate area. All three numbers were linked to Loba, including one phone seized during the house search.

The 27-year-old, from Westbrook Road, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, specifically crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug, and possession of criminal property. Loba pleaded guilty to all five charges during a court hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, 14 August 2025.

Sentencing

He was sentenced on Thursday, 11 September 2025, to five years and seven months in prison.

Impact Statement

Investigating officer Detective Constable Holly Bayliss commented: ‘Drugs destroy lives and have a negative impact on the communities affected. Joel Loba played a pivotal role in distributing the most harmful drugs across the Thanet area, so we are very pleased he will see significant time behind bars.’

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