Wheels Come Off Cocaine And 'Speed' Dealer's Enterprise

A drug dealer, caught by police with a kilo of cocaine in his car sixty miles from home, has been jailed for three years.

Gavin Hills, 50, of London Street, Folkestone, Kent, was stopped in New Road, Rainham, Essex by officers from the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP).

The OCP deals with organised crime and the supply of illegal drugs within London and the home counties. 

The partnership is staffed by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service and the National Crime Agency.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that at 8.05am on Thursday, November 7, last year officers stopped Hills as part of an intelligence-led investigation.

The officers found a bag underneath the front passenger seat. 

The bag contained a block of cocaine wrapped in two plastic bags.

Following his arrest, officers searched his home address in Folkestone.

They seized a number of items including mobile phones, electronic scales and a knife with what appeared to be drug traces on it.

There were also several containers that contained a white amphetamine powder – including a block of compressed amphetamine powder found in a freezer.

During his time in custody, Hills was uncooperative and failed to communicate with custody staff. 

As a result, he was interviewed in his cell, but he refused to answer all the questions put to him, including why he was more than 60 miles away from home with a kilogram of cocaine. 

The court heard that officers believed Hills was in the Rainham area dealing drugs.

Hills pleaded guilty to possession of a cocaine, with intent to supply and possession of amphetamine, with intent to supply.

Detective Inspector Guy Carmichael said: “This investigation is a great example of joint partnership working which resulted in a drug dealer being put behind bars and two kilograms of drugs being taken off the streets of London, which otherwise could have ruined lives. 

“Hills refused to engage with officers throughout the investigation and has shown no remorse for his actions.

“Hills has been given a substantial sentence and I hope this will deter others from the allure of drug dealing. 

“Even during these challenging times, we will continue to target those involved in organised crime and the supply of illegal drugs and we will take robust action against them.”