A drug dealer who forced buyers to settle their debts with rare Pokémon cards has been jailed for more than three years and ordered to forfeit his valuable card collection.
Police executing a warrant at an address in Maidstone on 1 May 2026 seized 110g of cannabis, 25g of cocaine, £2,000 in cash, and a box of high-value collectible trading cards. Mobile phone evidence revealed video recordings of the suspect hiding drug packages for buyers to collect, as well as messages confirming he accepted stolen trading cards alongside cash and bank transfers as payment for illicit substances.
The 26-year-old offender admitted charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of criminal property. At Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, 17 September 2026, he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, with the judge placing a deprivation order on his cash and card collection to prevent their return. Investigating officers noted that while trading cards are a harmless hobby, those using them to facilitate local drug networks will face severe criminal consequences.