Suspected criminal assets including a speedboat were seized following the arrests of four men for alleged drug supply offences in west Kent.

A large amount of cash, vehicles including quad bikes and a motorhome were also confiscated following search warrants which led to four arrests.

The warrants were executed during the early hours of Thursday 25 April 2024, at properties in Middlesex Road and in Chartway Street, Sutton Valence, as well as several business units off Gravelly Bottom Road, Kingswood.

In an investigation led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, searches also led to the recovery of cocaine and cannabis.

Ashley Steel, 60, of Middlesex Road has now been charged with two counts of possessing drugs with intent to supply (cocaine and cannabis), and four counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs – namely heroin, cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis. He was also charged with possessing an offensive weapon, a knuckle duster, and with an offence of money laundering.

James Steel, 39, of Chartway Street, Sutton Valence was charged with five counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs – namely heroin, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis. He was further charged with possessing cannabis and with possessing an offensive weapon, a flick knife. 

A third suspect, Daniel Devall, 35, of Common Road, Hadlow was charged with money laundering and four drug supply offences linked to heroin, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

All three were remanded in custody and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 24 May. A fourth man arrested, aged 58, is bailed to return to a police station on 25 July.