Crawley Drugs Investigation: Fourteen Suspected Dealers Due In Court

A Sussex Police investigation into so-called "County Lines" drug dealing connected to Crawley has brought charges against fourteen suspects, all due in court soon.

Officers said that approximately 300 wraps of heroin, 352 wraps of cocaine and 380 grams of cannabis were seized, along with 49 mobile devices, five weapons and £27,645 in cash.

The action was carried out by the Operation Centurion team, supported by Crawley CID, Crawley Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Met Police’s Operation Orochi team.

The operation, which ran from 27 November to 8 December, was part of the town’s new "Stronger Safer Crawley" scheme, designed to tackle serious organised crime and protect vulnerable members of the community.

The type of dealing being tackled, "County Lines" is where illegal drug supplies held in cities by organised criminal groups are supplied on demand to towns or more rural areas through use of telephones. 

Police said those behind the crime exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.

This is often referred to as ‘drug running’. Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations. This is known as ‘cuckooing’.

In the most recent operation, 18 county lines were disrupted, 19 arrests were made and 14 suspects were charged.

Sussex Police supplied the following list of those accused of drug dealing offences, and due in court.

• Ethan Johnson, 22, of Belmont Park, Lewisham, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He is due to appear before Lewes Crown Court on 3 January.
• Harley Spouse, 21, of Charlieville Road, Bexley, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He is due to appear before Lewes Crown Court on 3 January.
• Ismael Cassama, 23, of Blessington Road, Lewisham, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He is due to appear before Lewes Crown Court on 3 January.
• Michelle Stephens, 46, of Henderson Way, Horsham, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. She is due to appear before Lewes Crown Court on 3 January.
• David Hedges, 53, of Barfields, Bletchingley, Surrey, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, assaulting a police officer, and possession of crack cocaine, cannabis and an offensive weapon (butterfly knife). He is due to appear before Brighton Crown Court on 2 January.
• Liam Batchelor, 37, of Boswell Road, Crawley, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 5 January.
• Mbye Conteh, 33, of Wantage Close, Maidenbower, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and possession of criminal property. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 5 January.
• Darelle Jaffa, 35, of Horsham Road, Crawley, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 4 January.
• Rhys Nunes, 24, of Scutari Road, Southwark, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 4 January.
• Mark Darko, 26, of Canal Walk, Croydon, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 4 January.
• Charlie Harris, 21, of Warrington Close, Crawley, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 4 January.
• Josh Frasier, 29, of Arun Valley Way, Faygate, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and failing to provide a sample under section 5a of the Road Traffic Act. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 4 January.
• Coralie Wadsworth, 45, of Ashdown Drive, Crawley, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. She is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 4 January.
• Hans Narainen, 19, of Goodwin Close, Crawley, is charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to heroin and crack cocaine, and possession of cannabis. He is due to appear before a court yet to be confirmed on 5 January.

PC Dave Oliver, who led the operation, said:

"We will continue to act on information and intelligence to disrupt County Lines drug-dealing, crack down on offenders and protect those most at risk of harm in our community."