Chatham drug dealer from London armed with samurai sword is jailed
19:33, 04 September 2020
updated: 20:06, 04 September 2020
A teenage drug dealer armed with a samurai sword has been jailed.
When police first spotted Zaqiel Gardnar sat in a car with another person in Chatham , they went over to inquire about the pair's social distancing.
But when they approached the car in Central Park Gardens at 11.40am on April 21 - at the height of lockdown - officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside.
Gardnar, 19, of Highbrook Road, London was asked to step out of the vehicle and as he did about 20 wraps of drugs fell out of his trouser leg.
A search of the car was carried out by police under the Misuse of Drugs Act where they found cash, mobile phones and the sword under the passenger seat.
Gardnar was arrested and when he was searched further in custody was found to be concealing more drugs.
An investigation revealed the wraps contained heroin and crack cocaine.
"He also had a Samurai sword which could have inflicted disastrous injuries if it had been used..."
Text messages found on the phones seized by police suggested he was making drug deals and he was charged with possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine and possession of cannabis.
The teenager was also charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, driving without insurance and possessing criminal property.
Gardnar was jailed yesterday after pleading guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.
He was jailed for two years and four months.
The drugs and sword will be destroyed following an order passed by the judge.
Investigating officer DC Mark Donovan said: "Gardnar was in possession of Class A drugs with the sole purpose of selling drugs in Medway, targeting vulnerable drug users in order to make a profit.
"Not only was he in possession of heroin and crack cocaine but he also had a Samurai sword which could have inflicted disastrous injuries if it had been used. I’m pleased that he has been taken off the streets along with the drugs and weapon."
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