Police officers assaulted during drugs supply arrest in Maidstone

A suspected drug dealer has been charged with supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Maidstone and assaulting two police officers. At 1.15pm on Thursday 4 July 2019 a patrol in plain clothes approached a man reported to be acting suspiciously in Romney Place. The suspect resisted arrest and is alleged to have punched and kicked both officers. He was eventually restrained and taken into custody. A search was carried out which led to the recovery of a knife and 41 wraps of suspected heroin and crack cocaine. One of the officers required hospital treatment following the incident. Rakeem Williams, aged 18, of Hodson Road, Swinton, Manchester, was later charged with assault with intent to resist arrest, wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. He was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 6 July. Kent Police works in partnership with other law enforcement agencies such as British Transport Police and neighbouring forces to detect and disrupt those involved in knife and drug offences. This latest arrest forms part of ongoing initiative aimed at reducing knife crime and associated offences across the county.