Hey, drug dealers.... We could be watching you

When three drug dealers commenced an advertising campaign for their latest illegal wares, little did they know it was the beginning of the end for their lucrative criminal enterprise. 

In September 2023, Surrey Police investigators became suspicious of two particular phone numbers that repeatedly peddled cocaine and ketamine, upselling to their regulars with enticing deals. Using cell site data, police tracked the phones on journeys up to the Midlands. Automatic number plate recognition cameras then helped officers link the phones to cars, in turn leading them to the names of three suspects. 

Police officers conducted simultaneous warrants in early January 2024 on properties in Aldershot and Coulsdon. In Aldershot, a man was spotted trying to escape from the second-floor flat’s back window, and officers bumped into a second man casually exiting the bathroom. All perfectly normal behaviour. Nothing to see here, officers. Drugs were located in the toilet bowl, as well as drugs paraphernalia, various mobile phones, two of which were found in the underwear of one of the males and a lengthy contact list of customers. Much of the same incriminating evidence was found in Coulsdon, as well as knuckle dusters and a knife. 

Three men were arrested, and all were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday, 22 August.

• James Singh, 27 (DOB 8/12/1996), of Station Road, Coulsdon was sentenced to six years and three months in jail for sentenced for conspiracy to sell class A and class B drugs.
• Luke Gernon, 27 (DOB 18/6/1997) of Elm Road, New Malden was sentenced to four years and six months in jail for conspiracy to sell class A and class B drugs.
• Kalum Howard, 27, (DOB 8/6/1997) of Station Road, Coulsdon was sentenced to four years in jail for conspiracy to sell class A and class B drugs and possessing criminal property.

The court ordered all drugs, mobile phones, weapons and cash to be forfeited and the funds used for the benefit of Surrey Police.

A fourth man, Aidan Walker, 32 (DOB 20/4/1992) of Frimley Road, Chessington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell class A drugs on Thursday, 13 June 2024 at Guildford Crown Court, and will be sentenced on Monday, 21 October at Guildford Crown Court.