Crackdown on County Lines Nets 16 Arrests and £5,000 Cash Seizure
Kent police have smashed a major drugs ring this August, executing eight warrants, arresting 16 suspects, and confiscating around £5,000 in cash. The team targeted county lines dealers funneling crack cocaine and heroin from London into towns across Kent.
Dealer Caught Red-Handed in Maidstone
One of the biggest busts involved Adam Haddock, who admitted to supplying crack cocaine and heroin. Haddock was caught in the act by plain clothes officers in Maidstone on 15 June 2021. Within seconds of the street-level deal, officers swooped and raided his flat, seizing drugs and £1,200 in cash from another property linked to him. Sentenced in August 2021, Haddock received 20 months behind bars.
Folkestone Stop Yields Drugs and Designer Loot
Another suspect, Ben Wilder, 22, was nabbed in Folkestone after police stopped his car on 26 August. Officers found crack cocaine, heroin, two mobile phones, and luxury items including a Cartier watch and Gucci bag. Wilder faces charges for intent to supply and possession of criminal property. His case is due in Canterbury Crown Court on 27 September.
London Link in Multi-County Drug Operation
In early August, cops swooped on a Bromley property tied to a county lines operation feeding drugs into Canterbury. They seized crack, heroin, cash, a mobile, and a flick knife. Aubrey Goodison-McIntosh from Bayswater admitted involvement and awaits trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
Joint Task Force Battles County Lines at Transport Hubs
Kent police teamed up with the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police to patrol railway stations in Penge and Anerley, known hotspots for county lines criminals. Detective Superintendent Shaun White said:
“We continue to work hard to tackle county lines drug dealing in our communities. We’re intelligence-led and committed to shutting these operations down. Dealers will try to fill gaps left by arrests, but we will relentlessly pursue anyone seeking to poison our neighbourhoods.”
