County Lines Crackdown Nets Half a Million in Cash and Multiple Arrests
Police from the County Lines and Gangs Team smashed a major drug operation with a huge cash haul during a raid on a Hackney property in late July. The suitcase stuffed with cash—estimated at around £500,000—was found at a London address linked to county line dealers operating in north Kent.
July Raids Lead to 36 Arrests and 44 Years in Prison
The warrant was just one of nine executed on 28 July, part of 18 searches conducted by officers throughout the month. Their efforts nabbed 36 suspects and secured a hefty 44 years’ worth of prison sentences through the courts.
Violent Street Fight Sparks Multiple Drug Charges
Among those arrested was 26-year-old Oluwaseyi Oyeyemi, stopped after a brutal fight on Lowfield Street on 17 July. Charged with cocaine and cannabis possession with intent to supply, knife possession, assault on emergency workers, and money laundering, Oyeyemi was remanded in custody ahead of a Maidstone Crown Court hearing in August.
His alleged accomplice, 21-year-old Hinzague Hanson from Gravesend, faces wounding with intent charges and is also in custody awaiting trial.
Dramatic Dartford Raid Sees Suspect Leap from Window
On the same day as the Hackney raid, officers stormed a flat in Orchard Street, Dartford. A man jumped from a second-floor window, clutching a ledge before being pulled to safety by police. Tevin Mendez, 28, and Keiron Wheatley, 29, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of class A drug offences and possession of criminal property. Both appeared at Medway Magistrates Court, with their next hearing set for Woolwich Crown Court.
Gillingham Dealer Locked Up After Undercover Sting
In May, plainclothes officers caught 19-year-old Odyssius Ojo supplying class A drugs in Gillingham. He pleaded guilty to drug supply and laundering £230 in criminal proceeds. The Camden Road man was sentenced to two and a half years in jail at Maidstone Crown Court last month.
Detective Superintendent Shaun White said: “The action last month was a result of months of hard work and planning by the County Lines and Gangs Team. The officers have been successful in taking a large number of drugs off the streets and arrested over 30 people.
“The cash seizures will cause significant disruption to the drug supply network. This is money the dealers need to rent properties to run their illegal operations and the seizure of their assets will prevent them from starting up their illicit trade in our community.
“Though the success in July is encouraging, we will not rest on our laurels and will be hot on the heels of the next dealers ready to fill the shoes of those we have removed from the streets.”
