Patrolling officers in Gillingham have arrested a suspected drug dealer after they suspected a vulnerable resident was being exploited.
On Saturday 24 September 2023, officers saw a man acting suspiciously outside a property in Duncan Road. They located the occupier, who told them that people had been using her home to deal drugs.
Officers obtained permission to enter the property and found a teenage boy in one of the bedrooms, surrounded by what appeared to be a large lump of crack cocaine alongside smaller bags of suspected drugs. Two mobile phones, cash, and a large machete were also seized.
The 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He was later granted bail, pending further enquiries, and will be required to return to a police station on Monday 18 December.
Police say this arrest is a reminder that drug dealers are often ruthless and will exploit vulnerable people to achieve their own ends. If you are concerned about drug dealing in your community, please report it to the police.