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Jail for Joseph O’Leary from Belvedere whose DNA was found of crack cocaine packaging

18:13, 24 January 2020

updated: 18:14, 24 January 2020

A six month investigation into a drug dealing network in Medway concluded today with a 21-year-old sent to jail.

Joseph O’Leary, of Morvale Close, Belvedere, has been handed a four year and two month sentence following his involvement in the supply of class A drugs.

Joseph O’Leary has been jailed for four years and two months Picture: Kent Police
Joseph O’Leary has been jailed for four years and two months Picture: Kent Police

O’Leary's activities came to light following the seizure of 50 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin in Chatham in March 2019.

Following forensic testing, his full DNA profile was found on the packaging.

He was later linked to further offences in Chatham where investigating officers discovered 200 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, a large amount of cash and a mobile phone in July.

Call data from the phone linked O’Leary to the drugs which, together with the other wraps, had a street value of up to £5,000.

O’Leary was arrested on October 8 after being stopped in a car in Rochester.

Maidstone Crown Court
Maidstone Crown Court

Another mobile phone and £640 were seized and examination of the phone again linked him to drug dealing.

He pleaded guilty to two charges following the offences committed between March 22 and October 8, 2019.

Following sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court today, Detective Constable Mark Donovan, of Medway CID, said: "Joseph O’Leary was orchestrating various drug deals in Medway and we were able to gather irrefutable evidence to ensure a successful conviction.

"This was a complex investigation where officers worked tirelessly to prove the links between O’Leary and the drug trade in this area.

"The misuse of drugs can cause misery to people’s lives and we will continue to relentlessly target dealers, disrupt their activity and bring them to justice."

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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