A drug dealer who was part of a gang supplying large amounts of cocaine has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

Julian Warrick was a member of an organised crime group that conspired to supply cocaine using encrypted mobile phones.

An investigation was started by Kent Police’s Serious Crime Directorate after officers gained access to the encrypted conversations.

On March 22, 2021, police went to Maplehurst Close, Dartford, where Warrick was sat in a parked car next to another vehicle occupied by a criminal associate.

Warrick, of Regent Square, Belvedere, was arrested and officers seized around £4,000 from his pockets.

Three mobile phones were recovered from inside his car, as well as an encrypted handset.

A hidden compartment operated by an electronic switch was also found inside his car.

While this compartment was empty, a similar hiding place was found in his associate’s car, which contained seven bags of cocaine.

These bags weighed around seven ounces and had an estimated street value between £7,000 and £14,000.

Further cocaine and cash were seized at two separate addresses in Erith, along with a money counting machine.

Warrick was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine between March 17 and March 23, 2021, and possessing criminal property, namely the seized cash.

He pleaded guilty to both at Maidstone Crown Court on October 13, 2021.

Today, the 53-year-old was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison.

Detective Constable Terry Hanlon said: ”Warrick was a member of a criminal network involved in the onward supply of cocaine in bulk.

“As such they will have made considerable profits whilst causing misery on the streets of Kent.

“These criminals thought they were safe from arrest due to the use of encrypted communications, but their confidence was misplaced.

”Warrick is now behind bars and we will be seeking to confiscate the seized cash through the Proceeds of Crime Act.”