Coke Bust at Gravesend Pub: Cash and Drugs Ripped from Dealer’s Grasp
Joseph Ball’s night out at a local pub took a dark turn when police swooped in with a sniffer dog last November. The 36-year-old was caught red-handed with cocaine stashed in his underwear – and the haul didn’t stop there.
Underwear Surprise and £2,000 in Cash
Officers raided the 1 Road pub on the evening of November 19, 2022, during a targeted crackdown on drug dealing in local nightlife spots. Ball, who was eating at the time, immediately raised suspicion.
Police found three bags of cocaine hidden beneath his clothes, along with nearly £2,000 in cash and a ringing phone. He was swiftly arrested on the spot.
Search Yields £12,000 and More Drugs at Home
The investigation didn’t stop at the pub. At Ball’s Pier Road home, officers uncovered a stash of £12,000 hidden under a bed plus additional drugs, cementing his role in the local supply chain.
Sentenced to Over Three Years in Jail
Charged with possession with intent to supply and possession of criminal property, Ball pleaded guilty. On January 25, 2023, Maidstone Crown Court sentenced him to three years and four months behind bars.
“We run these proactive operations regularly as they act as an effective deterrent to dealers in bars, pubs, and clubs,” said DC Martin Stevens of North Kent CID. “Our sniffer dog alerts us to those involved in drug distribution and reminds criminals police can be anywhere, anytime.”
“Most people are out having fun and welcome this enforcement. A visible police presence helps us catch repeat offenders like Ball and stamp out other criminality.”
