A drug dealer who attempted to conceal his illicit supply inside a sock has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison following a targeted police intervention in Tunbridge Wells. Kirstian Botev, 31, was brought to justice after suspicious behaviour behind the wheel led officers to a significant stash of narcotics and cash hidden just steps from his front door.
The investigation began on 15 September 2025, when officers from the Neighbourhood Task Force patrolling the Broadmead area flagged Botev’s driving as suspicious. Upon stopping the vehicle on Showfields Road, Botev was immediately detained. A subsequent search of the car revealed a black sock filled with multiple small bags of cocaine, while a further quantity of cannabis was recovered from the glove box.
Although Botev refused to disclose his address to the authorities, rapid police inquiries established that he was living a mere 100 metres from the site of the traffic stop. Using a house key found on his person, officers entered his home and discovered a substantial drug operation. Inside the kitchen, they seized approximately £10,000 worth of cocaine, along with £2,000 worth of cannabis and £5,000 in suspected criminal cash.
Botev faced multiple charges, including possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, possession of criminal property, and driving without insurance. After entering a guilty plea to all counts, he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 2 March 2026, where a judge handed down the custodial sentence.
Sergeant Edward Kavanagh said:
‘Neighbourhood Task Force officers rely on their local knowledge to track down offenders and reduce crime in the area.
‘In this case, officers spotted suspicious behaviour and acted quickly leading to a significant drug stash being found and a dealer being locked away.
‘These criminals have a detrimental impact on the whole community and we will continue to proactively target them and bring them to justice.’