After nearly four years on the run, a notorious drug dealer from Peckham, London, has been apprehended and sentenced to imprisonment. John Condeh, 35, was caught in a dramatic turn of events that traces back to a tip-off received by the police on July 21, 2020.
Acting on an anonymous tip, law enforcement officers descended on a residence in Marline Avenue, St Leonards, where they discovered Condeh nonchalantly seated in an armchair. Despite his attempt to deceive the officers with false identification, a search of his chair unveiled a significant quantity of what was suspected to be Class A drugs.
Condeh’s arrest led to the discovery of a vehicle parked nearby, which not only contained his true identification documents but also around £1,400 in cash, hinting at his illicit activities. Further investigations, including a forensic analysis of the seized substances, confirmed they were heroin and crack cocaine, valued at approximately £400 based on 2020 estimates. Intriguingly, Condeh’s DNA was found on the drug packaging, tightening the case against him.
Despite being released on bail initially, Condeh vanished, eluding capture until Sussex Police financial investigators tracked a car purchase agreement in his name in 2023. This clue led to his arrest in South East London on November 6, 2023, when he was found driving the said vehicle.
In a subsequent court appearance, Condeh pleaded guilty to charges of possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply, as well as possessing criminal property. His plea resulted in a 35-month sentence handed down by Lewes Crown Court on February 26.
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