A drug dealer has been locked up after cops found cocaine stashed inside a moped’s steering column in Tunbridge Wells.
Erratic Driving Draws Police Attention
Victor Pereria Da Luz, 26, from Chislehurst, was stopped by plain-clothed officers on June 4, 2025, after they spotted him driving erratically in Crawford Close.
When approached, Pereria Da Luz looked nervous and quickly tried to lock his phone.
Cocaine Hidden in Moped’s Steering Column
A search revealed screws missing from a panel near the steering column. Officers removed the panel and found a black sock holding 12 vials of cocaine alongside nearly £900 in cash.
Pereria Da Luz was arrested on the spot.
Jailed for Nearly Three Years
- Charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply
- Possession of criminal property
- Admitted driving without a licence or insurance
At 1 Crown Court on Monday, August 11, he pleaded guilty. The judge sentenced him to two years and seven months behind bars.
Police Praise Spot-on Vigilance
Sergeant Ed Kavanagh of the Tunbridge Wells Neighbourhood Task Force said: “Drug dealers like Pereria Da Luz frequently use vehicles to conceal cocaine and other illicit substances, often utilising increasingly elaborate hiding places. However, our officers are trained to spot the signs and use their expert knowledge, keen instincts and evolving search tactics to consistently identify suspects and uncover their stashes. Every successful search is a step closer to dismantling the networks that fuel drug-related harm in our communities.”