A drugs

by Joe Walker

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

A drugs ring with a hold on Canterbury has been brought down by police after a bust by undercover officers.

Two members of the highly-organised network were convicted of a string of drugs offences today, while two others had earlier admitted a part in the operation.

Joseph King, brother Samuel King, Craig Provan and Matthew Newin will all be sentenced tomorrow.

Between them, the four men controlled street dealing in a number of towns across the county, including Canterbury.

But undercover officers infiltrated the close-knit gang during a covert operation last year.

The court heard the defendants unwittingly sold more than £8,000 of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy to the officers and agreed to supply larger amounts before they were arrested.

More than a dozen transactions which took place between June and September last year were used as evidence during a seven-week trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

The The jury heard Joseph King’s house in Hoath Woods, Lavender Road, West Malling, was searched on October 4 last year.

Undercover officers had negotiated a deal in excess of £20,000 with Newin for a large quantity of ecstasy and heroin.

When Newin went to source the deal, he was unknowingly followed into Hoath Woods by officers with a search warrant.

A number of people were arrested, including Joseph King, Newin and Provan, and drugs, loaded firearms and shotgun cartridges were seized.

Further evidence led to a second warrant being executed at the same address just three days later, when £36,405 cash was found hidden in the loft area of a stable.

Joseph King, 48, was convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and ecstasy, possession of amphetamine with intent to supply and three counts of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life. He was also found guilty of possession of criminal property, but not guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Samuel King, 47, of Elm Grove, Sittingbourne, was cleared of conspiracy to supply ecstasy, possession with intent to supply amphetamine and three counts of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life. He had already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.

Craig Provan, 41, of The Paddock, Highsted Valley, Rodmersham, was convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and ecstasy. He had already admitted encouraging the supply of cannabis.

Matthew Newin, 26, of Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine, heroin and ecstasy and encouraging the supply of cannabis.

Detective Inspector Eddie Fox, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, was the officer in charge of the investigation.

Speaking after today’s jury verdicts, he said: “This was a really challenging investigation which involved the use of undercover police officers to infiltrate and shut down what was a highly organised group.

“The key members had a hold in many towns across the county, supplying illegal and dangerous drugs from which they profited highly.

“The most difficult part of our work to bring them to justice was linking Joe King, who was the head of this group, as he did not get involved in the day-to-day supplying of the drugs.

“I am delighted with today’s convictions. Justice has been done and the work of officers engaged in this investigation recognised.”

CPS Crown Advocate Anthony Hill said: “The successful prosecution of these drug dealers is a testament to our collective commitment to confront drug dealing straight on. This was organised commercial drugs supply and this gang thought they couldn’t be detected.

“It was the prosecution’s case that Joseph King was the ringleader of this network and our evidence was based on a number of events, complex telephone and forensic evidence. We worked closely with police advising on the sort of evidence we needed to build a strong case to present to a jury.

“This prosecution hasn’t just dealt with the network’s foot soldiers it has dismantled the controlling tier of the organisation removing their ability to cause further harm to the community.”