Two individuals have been apprehended in separate incidents in Tonbridge and West Malling as Kent Police intensify their campaign against drug dealing in the area.
The first arrest occurred in Tonbridge on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, following proactive patrols in Bishops Oak Ride. At approximately 4 pm, officers observed a suspicious vehicle, leading to a brief pursuit that culminated in the vehicle being stopped on the High Street. A male suspect was then detained on suspicion of drug-related offences.
Subsequent searches of the vehicle and the suspect yielded a knife, quantities of cocaine, cannabis, and cash. A man aged 59, from Catford, London, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of criminal property, and driving without insurance.
He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on February 21, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on March 21.
Later that same day, at around 11:30 pm, officers spotted another suspicious vehicle, a BMW, at a petrol station on the A20 near West Malling. The vehicle reportedly fled the scene when officers attempted to stop it, triggering a pursuit that ended on Teston Road, where a 26-year-old man was arrested.
A search of the vehicle, aided by Police Dogs Charlie and Wilson, resulted in the seizure of cocaine, nitrous oxide canisters, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and cash. The suspect has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Chief Inspector Mark Stubberfield said:
‘Drugs have a far-reaching detrimental impact on our communities, but the perpetrators of drugs-related crimes care only about lining their own pockets.
‘We continue our efforts to proactively tackle drug trafficking in west Kent by remaining vigilant for suspicious behaviour, identifying vehicles known to be involved in drugs offences, carrying out stops and searches, and ensuring visible policing even in rural areas of the county.’
The arrests highlight Kent Police’s ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks and safeguard communities from the detrimental effects of illegal substances.