County Lines Drug Dealer Sent Down After Police Crackdown
Liam Batchelor, notorious local drug dealer known as ‘Tilgate Liam’, has been jailed for nearly four years following a targeted police operation in Crawley.
Police Snag Dealer With Six Mobiles
Officers swooped during a arrested-on-suspicion-of-drug-offences-and-were-taken-to-north-kent-police-station-where-they-were-searched-under-the-misuse-of-drugs-act/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Misuse of Drugs Act warrant, arresting Batchelor and four others inside a vehicle.
The 37-year-old was caught with six mobile phones. Police analysis revealed damning evidence linking him to a County Lines network distributing heroin and crack cocaine to vulnerable locals.
Nearly Four Years Behind Bars for Crack and Heroin Supply
Batchelor admitted to running the drug operation and was sentenced to three years and nine months at Lewes Crown Court on January 12.
PC Dave Oliver from Op Centurion said: “This is another great result in our continued efforts to target prolific drug dealers and protect vulnerable drug users in Crawley.”
“It is essential we catch criminals before they have the chance to flee or destroy evidence, sometimes meaning executing pre-planned warrants like this one.”
“This case shows we could come for you anywhere, at any time.”
Operation Ruby Nets Multiple Arrests
Batchelor was caught as part of Operation Ruby, a major crackdown on County Lines drug dealing across Crawley last December. Several other suspects are due in court over the coming months.
