Six charged after drugs operation in Hastings

Six people have been charged following a Sussex Police operation in Hastings on Thursday (April 21), targeting organised crime in East Sussex.

Officers carried out warrants at five separate addresses as part of an investigation seeking to disrupt people allegedly involved in the drug trade and local organised crime, including the supply of illicit substances into prisons.

Brian Hall, 77, of Southdown Avenue: Phil Geoghan, 44, of Earl Street: Michaela Dowling, 28, of Normandy Road; and Kerrie Leigh, 36, of Clement Hill Road, all in Hastings: and Grant Searle, 30, of no fixed address, were all charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Searle was also charged with handling stolen goods and possessing articles for use in fraud.

Leigh and Dowling were also charged with handling stolen goods.

Dowling was also charged with conveying an article into prison, possession of an article for use in fraud, and fraud by false representation.

Yasmin West, 22, of Streatfield Road, Heathfield, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, perverting the course of justice and possessing criminal property. She was given 12 month community order and 60 hours unpaid work.

Dowling and Hall appeared on Friday 22 April at Crawley Magistrates Court, the others appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court.

Hall, Geoghan, Dowling, Searle, and Leigh, were sent for trial at Lewes Crown Court, with a plea and trial preparation hearing on 20 May. Searle was remanded in custody, the others are on court bail.

Detective Inspector Gavin Patch said: “The execution of these five warrants and subsequent arrests is the culmination of a protracted investigation across East Sussex aimed at disrupting locally based organised criminals allegedly working together to supply drugs, steal vehicles, launder money and enable the supply of illicit substances into prisons.

“Several teams within Sussex Police came together on this investigation, including the East Sussex Community Investigation Team, Project Adder, Intelligence and Neighbourhood Policing.

“I would also like to thank our partners in the Crown Prosecution Service and Prison Service for their support in allowing us to secure and review a significant amount of evidence.

“By disrupting criminal operations, we aim to reduce the supply of illegal drugs, take away criminals’ ability to profit from their activities and safeguard the vulnerable within our community.”