Over Five Kilos of High-Purity Cocaine Seized in Maidstone Bust
Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate struck gold on August 29, 2019, when officers raided a Maidstone business on Lower Road, East Farleigh. Inside, they found a stash of over 5 kilos of top-grade cocaine hidden away.
Suspect Caught Red-Handed
The only person at the scene, Andrew Mackie, was questioned by officers and directed them to a cupboard under the stairs. There, three sealed parcels and six grip-seal bags containing a total of 5.3 kilos of cocaine were uncovered. The haul also included digital scales, gloves, and empty plastic bags—classic drug-dealing kit.
Cash was also seized: £5,000 from a filing cabinet and £2,000 from Mackie’s vehicle. He was promptly arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Million-Pound Drug Haul with High Purity
Lab tests revealed the cocaine had a staggering purity of 80 to 100 per cent, pushing its street value to an estimated £1 million.
Judge Sends Mackie Down for Over Eight Years
Facing Maidstone Crown Court, 53-year-old Mackie pleaded guilty. On January 9, 2020, he was slammed with an eight year, four-month prison sentence.
Chief Inspector Ray Quiller, Kent Police’s District Commander for Maidstone, said:
“The quantity of cocaine found here points to organised crime involvement. These high purity drugs would have been cut and sold on our streets, fuelling misery across Kent. Mackie and his associates profited heavily, so a lengthy jail term is right and proper.”
