Two brothers from Ashford have been sentenced to a combined 21 years in prison following a complex drug investigation.
Kent Police reported the brothers, David and Damien Derrick , came to the attention of officers in 2021 after intelligence suggested they were behind a significant influx of class A drugs into the region.
Officers stopped a vehicle in Ashford on 15 November 2021, in which the driver was identified as a courier who was due to meet with Damien so the pair could exchange large quantities of drugs. A search of the car uncovered 3kg of high-purity cocaine concealed in a hidden compartment in the boot. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022.
Records from his phone and call records showed that this meeting was not a one off, but part of a series of drug exchanges between the two men. Further investigation revealed that David was directing the operation, while Damien acted mainly as a courier.
Search warrants were executed at both brothers’ homes in February 2022. At David’s address in Ashford, officers seized small amounts of cocaine and cannabis, six Rolex watches, a knuckle duster, an imitation firearm and £3,000 in cash. At Damien’s property, also in the town, police found 19 bags of cocaine hidden in his car, along with five Rolex watches and £5,000 in cash. Further warrants were obtained for three safety deposit boxes belonging to David which contained extremely high value assets, including 26 Rolex watches, and two gold bars.
The brothers had multiple charges brought against them including conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and possession with intent to supply class A drug. Following a week-long trial, a jury unanimously found them guilty and they were sentenced on Friday 12 December at Canterbury Crown Court. Damien Derrick, 38 received eight years and David Derrick, 43 was given a 13 year sentence.
Detective Constable Aaron Chapman said:
‘Through painstaking analysis of phone records, ANPR data and intelligence sources, we were able to expose the true scale of the Derrick brothers’ operation. The sentences handed down reflect the seriousness of their offending and the damage that can be caused by Class A drugs to a community. This should serve as a clear warning to anyone seeking to profit from this kind of criminality.’