Medway Drug Dealer Jailed for Peddling Heroin and Crack via Mass Texts
Tony Able, 22, has been locked up for three years and two months after using bulk text messages to push heroin and crack cocaine across the Medway towns.
How the Net Closed In on Able
Police first zeroed in on Able back in March 2023, after seizing a phone from a woman caught dealing Class A drugs. Investigators found that one of the phone numbers linked to the device was blasting out slick marketing messages targeting local drug users.
Further searches on 6 July uncovered two phones at Able’s home in maidstone/" title="Maidstone" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Maidstone Road, Chatham — both used for sending these messages. Able was arrested and swiftly charged after pleading guilty in August. His sentencing took place at Maidstone Crown Court on 26 September.
Police Hit Back at County Line Dealers
“Able spent four months as a key player in this supply chain of Class A drugs to the Medway towns,” said Detective Sergeant Kelly Leventis. “He profited heavily while ruining lives and communities.”
“Criminals like Able wrongly believe they can operate without consequence. We are proving time and again that drug dealers exploiting vulnerable people will face tough jail sentences.”
Able’s conviction sends a clear warning to county line dealers targeting Kent’s towns: the police are cracking down hard.
