Two Tunbridge Wells drug dealers have been sentenced after officers uncovered an array of weapons at an address used to grow cannabis.
A search warrant issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act was executed at an address in Holmewood Road, on 9 February 2021.
Police seized 36 cannabis plants, quantities of herbal cannabis and digital scales. Weapons including knives and imitation firearms were also found.
The occupants, Graham Stones and Liam Braithwaite were both arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences.
Further enforcement was completed and on 9 December 2022, Stones and Braithwaite were charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs. Stones was also charged with cultivating cannabis.
Guilty
Both men pleaded guilty to the indictments at Maidstone Crown Court.
On Thursday 25 May 2023, 31-year-old Braithwaite was sentenced to one year and eleven months’ imprisonment. This total included five months for breach of a suspended sentence.
Stones, aged 61, received a one year and three month jail sentence, suspended for two years. He is required to complete 200 hours unpaid work.
Inspector Ian Jones of the Tunbridge Wells Community Safety Unit said: ‘Drug dealing brings criminality and the potential for violence to a neighbourhood and, in this case, residents raised their concerns with local officers.
‘Following a period of enforcement we gathered sufficient evidence to bring these men before the court. One of them is now starting a prison sentence.’