Drugs Haul Foiled in Cross-Border Bust – Man Jailed!
300 Cocaine Wraps Found in Passenger’s Bag
John Murrell, 59, was caught red-handed as a front seat passenger during a police stop in Belvedere back in November 2020. Officers were investigating cross-border crime when they found a bag stuffed with 300 wraps of cocaine. The drama didn’t stop there — a subsequent search of Murrell’s Chatham home uncovered drug scales and a knife laced with cocaine traces.
Four Years and Eight Months Behind Bars
The Symons Avenue resident pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine. Woolwich Crown Court didn’t show any mercy, handing down a hefty prison sentence of four years and eight months on 4 March 2021.
“Murrell was involved in a well organised, and sophisticated, conspiracy to supply cocaine,” said Detective Constable Steve Brown, the lead investigator for kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police.
“His arrest stopped a significant amount of cocaine hitting the streets. Instead of lining his pockets, he’s now facing serious jail time.”
“We won’t ease up on fighting class A drug dealers, no matter where they operate.”
Co-Conspirators Await Trial
Murrell’s capture sparked ongoing investigations. Three men – Andrew Court, 55, Keir Ratcliffe, 33, and Steven Rogers, 30 – have been charged for their part in the drug ring. They deny all charges, including conspiracy to supply cocaine plus firearms offences.
The trio, from Belvedere, Meopham, and Bexleyheath, have been bailed and await trial at Woolwich Crown Court, with the hearing date still to be set.
