A man has been sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison after police discovered cocaine hidden inside the steering column of his moped in Tunbridge Wells.
Victor Pereria Da Luz, 26, was arrested on June 4, 2025, after plain-clothed officers observed him driving erratically. When approached, Da Luz appeared nervous and attempted to lock his mobile phone. A subsequent search of his moped revealed several missing screws from a front panel. Upon closer inspection, officers found a black sock concealed within the steering column containing 12 vials of cocaine. Nearly £900 in cash was also seized from Da Luz.
He was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of criminal property. Da Luz, of Chislehurst, Bromley, pleaded guilty to the charges, as well as to driving without a license or insurance. On Monday, August 11, he was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court.
Sergeant Ed Kavanagh, of the Tunbridge Wells Neighbourhood Task Force, said:
‘Drug dealers like Pereria Da Luz frequently use vehicles to conceal cocaine and other illicit substances, often utilising increasingly elaborate hiding places. However, at the same time our officers are trained to spot the signs and use their expert knowledge, keen instincts, and evolving search tactics, to consistently identify suspects and uncover their stashes. Every successful search is a step closer to dismantling the networks that fuel drug-related harm in our communities.’