Crack cocaine seizure in Maidstone results in jail sentence for drug dealer with samurai sword
Crack cocaine seized by Maidstone police officers has led to a jail sentence for a local man who was found with a samurai sword. On 20 March 2019, a search warrant was executed at a private address in Wallis Avenue, Maidstone. The warrant was part of a series of raids carried out by Kent Police in an ongoing crackdown on knife crime and associated offences, such as supplying drugs. On entering the premises, the officers found the resident, Ian Bigg, sitting on a sofa with a samurai sword at his side. Directly in front of Bigg were 27 small bags containing crack cocaine, a single bag of crack cocaine and a quantity of herbal cannabis. The officers seized the controlled drugs along with the sword, electronic scales, mobile phones and cash. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of £520. Bigg was arrested and later charged with possession of crack cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply. Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court on 30th April, 39-year-old Bigg pleaded guilty and sentenced to three years and three months in prison. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Billie-Louise Keane said: ‘Bigg intended to deal Class A and B drugs to local people and in doing so cause misery within the local community. ‘He should be ashamed of his conduct and a prison sentence will ensure the most vulnerable are protected from his criminality. ‘
