Three Medway drug dealers jailed after county lines investigation

Members of a drugs gang have been jailed after a police search found £15,000 of cash in a shoebox alongside other evidence of dealing.

The money, along with multiple mobile phones, were found at the home of 24-year-old Simeon Koroma in Cherry Orchards Drive, Rainham during a raid last July.

Koroma attended Maidstone Crown Court on February 27, where he was jailed for five years and nine months for his part in running the 'MJ' drug network, dealing heroin and crack cocaine..

Alongside him were 19-year-old Justin Duyile, of Charles Street Greenhithe, 45-year-old Natalie Riley of Grange Road, Gillingham and 30-year-old Curtis Davies of no fixed address.

Duyile was jailed for two years and two months, Davies for one year and eight months and Riley was given a two-year suspended sentence and told she must carry out 250 hours unpaid work for her involvement.

Officers spotted Davies involved in a suspected drug deal in Grange Road on July 21 last year.

He was stopped and searched, which led to the finding of drug wraps, cash and a mobile phone – he was also driving a car which belonged to Riley.

A warrant was issued at a nearby address where officers found Riley and Duyile inside, along with various drug-related objects.

Drug ‘tick’ lists were found, as well as weighing scales and clingfilm. Several mobile phones were seized containing text messages to arrange drug deals.

Davies and Riley were believed to be working for the 'MJ' county line drug network as 'runners' while Duyile acted as a middleman.

All three were arrested and later charged with supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

Officers from the County Line and Gangs Team continued their investigation and were able to link Koroma to the network.

Various mobile phone numbers were linked to him and CCTV evidence showed him buying credit to top up the phones with.

Koroma was arrested during the search warrant issued on his address on August 2022.

While there police found £15,000 hidden in a shoebox under his bed.

He was also found in possession of several mobile phones which had been used as part of the drug network.

Further investigation revealed he was running the line and would regularly instruct Duyile who would then pass these orders onto Davies and Riley who would carry out the drug deals.

All four admitted to the charges in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine with Davies additionally charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, breach of a restraining order, and driving without a licence.

Investigating officer PC Rebecca James said: "The ‘MJ’ drug network was a very active network across Medway and as a team we have worked tirelessly to arrest and charge those involved in this criminality.

"We know that drugs were being brought across from London and being sold onto vulnerable drug users within our county which affects not only the drug users but their wider families and communities.

"We will continue to tackle this type of crime and will not tolerate drugs being sold on our streets."