A 26-year-old drug dealer from Ashford has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found in possession of 50 wraps of class A drugs, including ‘crack’ cocaine and heroin.

Uttam Gurung was detained by officers in New Street on Thursday, October 26, 2023, when police discovered the drugs concealed in his clothing. Gurung’s arrest followed an extensive investigation by Kent Police’s County Lines and Gangs Team, which identified his car as being linked to drug dealing.

Local patrols subsequently searched Gurung’s vehicle, uncovering cannabis, a cannabis grinder, a mobile phone, and a quantity of cash. Further investigation led to a search of Gurung’s home address, where a more substantial amount of money and a second mobile phone were discovered.

Gurung, residing at Adams Drive, Willesborough, was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug and two counts of supplying class A substances. He pleaded guilty to all charges.

On Friday, January 26, at Canterbury Crown Court, Uttam Gurung was sentenced to three years in prison.

Detective Constable Andy Julier emphasized the impact of drug misuse on individuals’ lives and sent a strong message to drug dealers, stating, “We are sending out a very clear message to drug dealers: their attempts to exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our communities will not be tolerated. Our use of both uniformed and plain clothes officers is making it very hard for criminals to sell drugs in this county, and we are determined to keep these people off our streets.

The sentencing serves as a reminder that drug-related activities and their exploitation of vulnerable individuals will face strict consequences as law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to combat drug-related issues in communities.