London Drug Dealer Busted for Hastings Class A Supply
Joel Henry, 40, has been convicted after running a Class A drugs racket between London and Hastings. The Lambeth man was sentenced following a four-day trial at Chichester Crown Court on April 25 for supplying crack cocaine and heroin.
Burner Phones and Bulk Messaging Exposed
Henry, from Lakeview Road, was caught in St Leonards on November 8. Investigators uncovered a sophisticated network where he used burner phones to send bulk messages, aggressively marketing heroin and crack cocaine to vulnerable locals in Hastings. Phone data was key evidence that nailed him.
Police Crack Down on County Lines Crime
Detective Julian Stokes of Project ADDER hailed the joint operation between Metropolitan, Sussex, and Surrey police. “This was another successful effort to take a dangerous dealer off Hastings streets,” he said. Henry, with two previous Class A convictions, was handed a mandatory seven-year sentence for his third offence.
“We will keep targeting County Lines and those pushing these deadly drugs in our communities. The sentence handed to Henry proves courts are tough on Class A dealers,” added Stokes.
Protecting Hastings from Out-of-Town Dealers
This case underlines ongoing law enforcement efforts to shield Hastings from exploitation by outside criminals fueling the local drug crisis.
