Drugs Bust: Cocaine Found in Sock Leads to Big Haul at Home
Drug Stop Uncovers Bigger Operation
Police acting on a tip-off stopped a car driven by Ben Freeman on April 21, 2022. They spotted a suspicious wrap of cocaine hidden in one of his socks. Freeman quickly spilled the beans, admitting he stashed far larger amounts back at his property on Goods Station Road.
£7,000 Cash and 120g of Cocaine Seized
Police from Tunbridge Wells swooped on Freeman’s home with a search warrant. Inside, officers found more than £7,000 in cash and 120 grammes of cocaine. Freeman claimed the drugs were in a bag he was just “looking after” for someone else.
Dodgy Excuses Don’t Work
During his police interview, Freeman refused to explain cryptic notes on his phone — a detailed tick list of customers. He tried to justify nearly £350 of the seized cash as his partner’s cake-baking earnings and another £475 from selling cigarettes to colleagues.
Two Years Four Months Behind Bars
The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property. Maidstone Crown Court sentenced him to two years and four months in prison on February 23, 2023.
“Freeman was arrested thanks to some excellent policing by our local team, stopping a serious amount of drugs hitting the streets,” said Sergeant Ed Kavanagh, Tunbridge Wells Community Policing Team. “Drug dealers like Freeman wrongly think they can operate with impunity. We’ll continue to hit them hard with prison sentences.”
Freeman now faces a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize any profits made from his illegal drug trade.
