A drug dealer found with cocaine in his shoe told police he was visiting Tunbridge Wells for a holiday. Adrian Badea claimed he was sightseeing across the south east – but he was actually working for an organised crime group.
Officers approached the 27-year-old’s vehicle on March 23, 2023, as it was parked in the Fountains Retail Park. The black BMW had been linked to suspicious activity and Badea, from Crewe, was in the driver’s seat.
He told police of his plans for day trips to discover new towns and cities after the 223-mile journey from his home. However their suspicions were further raised when he let slip that he had no accommodation and slept in his car.
He was detained for a search and six bags of cocaine were seized from his shoe. Cannabis and £130 in cash were also recovered.
Badea, of Hankins Heys Lane, Crewe was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis, and driving without insurance. He pleaded guilty and on January 14 was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two years and four months in prison.
‘We’re not a soft touch’
Sergeant Ed Kavanagh of Kent Police said: ‘It’s always pleasing to hear from genuine tourists who are keen to visit and enjoy the many delights of Tunbridge Wells. Sadly, Badea wasn’t one of them. Checks to his phone showed he was being directed by a third party to multiple locations across west Kent to deal drugs. The device included postcode locations from users to have cocaine delivered to their doorsteps.
“This sentence is just the latest in several recent successful convictions of drug dealers who have tried to target Tunbridge Wells. It again illustrates just how effective our officers are in identifying offenders, many of whom are travelling from other areas of the country, and wrongly assuming we are a soft touch.”