South London Duo Jailed for Running Ruthless County Line Drug Empire
Two hardened drug dealers, Dequan Brown and Ricardo Cain, have been locked up for a combined 15 years after a Kent Police crackdown on their notorious county line operation. The pair ran a drug network spanning South London, Folkestone, and Tunbridge Wells, pushing heroin and crack cocaine under the street names ‘Mitch’ and ‘Romeo’.
Massive Haul of Cash, Drugs and Deadly Weapons
Brown, 24, was arrested at a Catford property where officers uncovered a haul worth tens of thousands: uncut crack cocaine and heroin valued at £26,000, £10,000 in cash, plus a machete, lock knife, body armour, and a converted live starter pistol with ammunition. Cain, 23, was later tracked to a Folkestone hotel, caught with £1,000 in crack and heroin and £2,000 cash on him.
18-Month Investigation Cracks Down on ‘Mitch and Romeo’ Line
The investigation began in October 2020, when police monitored messages sent out offering drugs and signed ‘Romeo’, ‘Mitch’ or ‘Romeo and Mitch’. Phone tracing linked these to Catford, sparking a raid in January 2021. Brown was jailed for 12 years on charges including firearm possession and drug supply. Cain admitted involvement and received a 3-year sentence.
Police Vow to Smash County Line Crime
“Kent Police knows all too well the knock-on offending that goes hand in hand with county line drug dealing and we will disrupt and shut down these networks at every opportunity,” said Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Talboys.
“The weapons found at the property we raided show the serious criminality we’re dealing with. These weapons were clearly only for intimidation—or worse. Thankfully these criminals are now behind bars, and the drugs, cash, and weapons have been seized.”
