County Lines drug dealer caught at Ebbsfleet station with drugs in his underwear
10:29, 27 April 2021
updated: 14:00, 27 April 2021
A County Lines drug dealer commuted on high-speed trains to peddle his haul, a court heard.
Using a phone network called the 'Bruce Line', the supplier - who was targeting users in Medway - was tracked down to Ebbsfleet station and found to have 90 wraps of crack cocaine in his underwear.
Between September 2020 and January 2021, investigators from Kent Police’s County Line and Gang Team learned that a specific phone number was regularly used to advertise heroin and cocaine for sale in Medway.
Inquiries showed the phone was used by the 'Bruce Line' to send bulk texts to drug users who were then supplied with cocaine and heroin when they responded to the messages.
Detectives identified that the supplier regularly used Ebbsfleet International railway station and on January 26, stopped Khali Aremu as he travelled into Kent.
He was detained for a drug search and officers seized three phones, one of which had the number used by the Bruce Line. They also found a clingfilm package in his underwear that contained 90 wraps of cocaine, five wraps of heroin and a ball of heroin.
The 22-year-old was arrested and later charged with possessing heroin with intent to supply, possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of heroin and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.
The drugs were analysed and found to have a total estimated street value of between £1,150 and £2,300.
Aremu, of Amhurst Road, Hackney, Greater London, admitted the offences at Maidstone Crown Court last week and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Investigating officer DC Richard Sears said: "This man was a prolific dealer who regularly sent bulk texts to Kent drug addicts advertising class A drugs for sale. He then travelled to his customers from his base in London.
"The investigators in this case have tenaciously tracked him down over many hours and were quick to detain him when the opportunity presented itself.
"His prison sentence should leave other drug dealers in no doubt that at some time soon, our officers will be coming for them as well."
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