West Kent drugs supply chain broken by proactive cops

Proactive police patrols in Tonbridge have dismantled a drugs supply chain to hundreds of users across the west of the county.

Cocaine and a burner phone used to send bulk marketing messages were seized by officers after they spotted a deal taking place in the town centre.

The phone line was controlled by Zak Burr, who has now been jailed. Burr was arrested on 27 June 2023, after plain clothes constables saw him approach a car in the High Street, during a suspected drug exchange for cash. The officers followed Burr into a nearby pub where he was arrested and a mobile phone in his pocket was seized. An associate of Burr, was also detained after he was found in possession of 11 street deals of cocaine.

When Burr’s phone was examined, the number proved a match for a supply network which had been identified by police in the weeks before. The device had been active since April and was used to send bulk marketing text messages, to more than 300 users.

Burr, 23, of no fixed address was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He pleaded guilty and on Thursday 14 March 2024, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Accomplice

A 19-year-old man from Tonbridge admitted the same offence, as well as a charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply. He was previously sentenced at the same court on 22 February, on the basis of occupying a lesser role. He received a suspended sentence and will have to comply with a rehabilitation order and carry out 40 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay costs of £250.

PC James O’Gorman, of the Tonbridge Neighbourhood Task Force, said:

‘It was abundantly clear from Burr’s phone he was dealing on a very significant scale with a criminal network across several areas of west Kent. Class A drug use and supply feeds violence and criminality within our towns, and our officers have extensive knowledge of users, as well as the criminals who attempt exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. This is crucial in enabling us to identify and stop people like Burr.
‘The support we receive from residents also continues to be so important, so please remember to report anything that may seem suspicious. Your help and information is invaluable.’