Two London drug dealers jailed after officers arrest them in Margate

Two London drug dealers who travelled to Margate to sell Class A drugs have been jailed.

During the afternoon of Thursday 4 April 2019 Kent Police officers on patrol in Margate saw 19-year-old Ben Mbuta-Mapasa and Robert Durao walking around the town, and it was suspected they were selling drugs to people.

The pair were stopped and searched by police in Northdown Road, and a mix of heroin and crack cocaine wraps, worth a combined total of £5,000, were found in 22-year-old Durao’s possession while his co-defendant had a phone, believed to be a county line phone used by drug dealers to advertise when drugs were for sale. Both carried train tickets from London to Margate.

The two men were charged with possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Durao, of Autumn Way in West Drayton, admitted the charge and was sentenced to two years and seven months.

Mbuta-Mapasa, of Tintern Way, Harrow, denied his involvement but was found guilty following a trial and sentenced to four years and six months.

The pair were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday 7 October 2019.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Keith Rochford of Kent Police said: ‘This was a typical case of county line drug dealers on a trip to Kent to ply their illegal trade.

‘It was clear to officers that the behaviour of these two meant they were not here to simply enjoy a day on the beach.

‘Drugs ruin lives and we do not tolerate any kind of illegal activity linked to drugs. The amount of drugs seized that day would have left these dealers out of pocket and their trade disrupted.

‘Anyone who had any concerns about suspected drug dealing in their community is urged to report it to Kent Police on 101 (or 999 if a crime is in action).’