“Working tirelessly behind the scenes”: police put Woking drug dealer behind bars

After 18 months of hard work by Surrey Police behind the scenes, a prolific Woking drug dealer is facing four years behind bars.

Luke Owen, 23, of Alpha Road, Woking, ran from police in May 2021 when they approached him in a dead-end cul-de-sac on Robin Hood Road. Officers chased him into an alleyway, where Owen came to a stop and handed over a pot of cannabis. He told them he had only run because he had cannabis on him and was serving a suspended sentence.

During a search, a Nokia mobile phone was found in the bushes nearby and seized. It was examined for Owen’s DNA and messages were found on it relating to the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

Owen was sent to prison for eight months on an unrelated matter in July 2021. Then, in January 2022, police intercepted a message advertising the supply of cocaine and cannabis in Woking and identified Owen as the sender. Officers executed a search warrant at his home address, and during the search they found the phone used to send the message.

Owen was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis. He was charged with four drugs supply offences, and on Thursday, 22 September, he pleaded guilty to all four. On Thursday, 27 October he was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court to four years’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, PC Luke Lightburn, said: “Our officers are working tirelessly behind the scenes to identify active drugs lines and hold those running them to account.

“Owen was operating a drugs line from his home in Knaphill, selling to vulnerable drugs users in the area.

“Having the public’s eyes on the ground is crucial to help us tackle drug-related crime in Surrey. If you suspect drug dealing, please contact us.”