Two county line drug dealers have been jailed after the erratic way in which their vehicle was driven alerted Gravesend patrols.
On 4 September 2023, officers were on patrol in the town when they spotted a Ford Kuga travelling erratically. It sped away from the constables and was pursued up the A2 towards London. Upon reaching Belvedere, the car came to a halt and the driver, Lewis Falegan along with his passenger, Reis Bhandal, fled on foot. Both were detained almost immediately and taken into custody.
The vehicle was displaying false number plates and when examined, was found to have been stolen from Dulwich on 19 August.
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A search was completed and the constables seized more than 40 wraps of cocaine and heroin in and around the vehicle and four mobile phones. Cash was seized from a bag Bhandal was wearing and around £10,000 was recovered from his home address.
Charged
Falegan, from Belvedere and Bhandal, from Dartford were later charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of heroin with intent to supply and handling stolen property (namely the Ford Kuga). They pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court and on Friday 1 March 2024, Falegan and Bhandal, both aged 23, were sentenced to five years and seven months’ imprisonment.
Detective Constable Emily Matthews, of Medway CID, said:
‘These criminals travelled to Gravesend to sell class A drugs but their plans were disrupted when an alert patrol decided the car they were using should be stopped due to Falegan’s poor driving.
‘Their attempt to escape back to London ended in failure with officers quickly arresting them and seizing cocaine, heroin and a large amount of cash. Any others who seek to come to north Kent to deal class A drugs can expect to be brought to justice in a similarly prompt and effective manner.’