A Marden drug dealer who tried to discard his cocaine supply moments before being arrested has been jailed.
An investigation was launched after the police were alerted to suspicious activity at an address in The Cockpit in Marden, where multiple people were seen entering the communal garden and leaving with packages.
Officers carried out initial enquiries and identified it was Dean Smith who lived there. They monitored ongoing activity at the property until a search warrant was executed on 1st May 2026.
As patrols attended, Smith was seen by a PCSO to exit a vehicle and discard a package under a parked car shortly before he was arrested. It was recovered and found to contain a quantity of cocaine.
The 51 year old, of The Cockpit in Marden, was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 4th August to 3 years’ imprisonment.
PC John Cockrill, the investigating officer, said ‘This was a dedicated investigation which allowed officers to secure enough evidence to ensure Smith had no choice but to plead guilty to the offence. Even as officers went to arrest Smith, he was caught red-handed trying to discard his drugs further strengthening the case we had against him.’
