Medway drug dealers jailed
Two men who operated a lucrative drug network in Medway have been jailed.
Frank Harris and Andrew Hamilton distributed large quantities of cocaine around the towns for financial gain.
On 22 December 2023 officers stopped Harris in a car on Sedley Close, Gillingham. Following a search of this vehicle a phone with a number connected to a drug line was located and £1,635 in cash. Harris was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
A further search of his home address in Rainham led to the discovery and seizure of £2,310 in cash.
Harris was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property in December 2023.
This resulted in the drug line being dismantled, however, in 2024 officers became aware of a new network which had similarities to Harris’s operation.
A second investigation was launched, and it was quickly established that Harris had reactivated the line whilst awaiting trial.
He employed sophisticated tactics to try and avoid police detection and recruited more drug runners to operate on his behalf.
One of these runners was Hamilton who held a significant and trusted role within Harris’s network.
On 11 January 2025 Hamilton carried out a drug deal in front of police officers in New Cut, Chatham. They detained him at the scene and when searched, they recovered cocaine valued at £2,840 and £640 in cash.
He was charged and pleaded guilty to drug offences but continued to offend whist on bail awaiting sentence.
On 11 April 2025 a warrant was executed at his home address in Hoo. When police entered, he attempted to flee with a box file full of empty deal bags, gloves, a mobile phone, pepper spray and ammunition.
A search of the property located cocaine to the value of between £480 and £640.
Hamilton was then charged with further drug offences and possession of a weapon for the discharge of noxious liquid and possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
Following this arrest officers attended Cherry Orchard Drive, Rainham, on 14 April to arrest Harris. They located Harris and empty packaging which appeared to be for two 1kg blocks of cocaine. A total of £25,000 in cash was also recovered from Harris’ home address.
At Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 13 February 2026, 33 year old Harris pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and possessing criminal property.
He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and will be subject to a five year Serious Crime Prevention Order on his release.
Hamilton, 50, of Voisin Close, Hoo, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Rob Hemsley said: ‘Frank Harris arrogantly set up a second drug line whilst still under investigation and employed sophisticated tactics to try to avoid police detection.
‘He recruited Andrew Hamilton and built a profitable drug network which they both benefitted from financially. Despite all their efforts to avoid detection, our investigation was able to track both the drugs and cash back to the two men.
‘As a force, we will relentlessly pursue those who supply drugs in Kent and bring them to justice.’
