A Canterbury man has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for his role in a county lines drug operation. Josh Thomas, 33, admitted to charges including supplying heroin and cocaine, possessing an offensive weapon, and possession of amphetamine at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, March 17th.
The conviction follows an investigation into the “J” line, which distributed heroin and cocaine in the Canterbury region. Officers apprehended Thomas on February 14th near Ashford, finding him with a significant amount of cash and a concealed lock knife. A subsequent search of his Canterbury home yielded 23 grams of amphetamine, scales, cling film, eight additional knives, and a mobile phone linked to drug sales.
The seized phone contained marketing messages advertising drug sales, sent throughout December and January. Detectives confirmed Thomas was the likely sender of these messages.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Holly Bayliss said:
‘Drugs can destroy lives and have a negative impact on the communities affected. So police work tirelessly to identify those who peddle these illegal substances using methods such as the marketing messages sent via phone.
‘Criminals like Josh Thomas can and should expect us to find and stop them in their tracks and bring them before the courts.’