A South London county lines gang was caught flooding Surrey and Sussex with 'giant' parcels of crack cocaine and heroin. The net started closing in during May 2025 when a different investigation unearthed texts relating to the huge drug-running operation.
Bulk marketing messages
Experts found bulk marketing messages. The texts included 'LIVE DELIVERY GIANT' and 'GIANT FAT SIZES DELIVERIES.'
Police eventually threw the cuffs on Jaipaul Johnson, 20, from Crawley, finding 147 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, £370 in cash, and a load of phones. They also searched Bridget Doherty's Essex home, where they also found Kenan Mitchell, 28, from Kent.
Police unearthed 18.2g of cocaine and the main Giant line phone. Other homes linked to Mitchell found between £20,000 and £30,000 in cash, 88.8g of cocaine and multiple mobile phones.
Additional evidence
Police also found scales, snap bags and handwritten telephone numbers for drug dealing. When they searched Patel's home, they found his mobile phone, scales, a quantity of cocaine, a crossbow and a knuckle duster.
Investigating officer PC Geordie Logan said: 'This was an extremely complex investigation involving months of detailed phone analysis, intelligence development and proactive policing activity.'
'The defendants played significant roles in a county drugs line responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin across multiple counties. The harm caused by Class A drugs extends far beyond those selling and using them; it impacts entire communities. Through the collaboration between teams and partner forces, we were able to identify those responsible, dismantle the line and bring those involved before the courts.'
'We remain committed to tackling county drugs lines and would encourage anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their community to report it to us.'
The sentences
- Jaipaul Johnson, 20, was sentenced to seven years and two months' imprisonment.
- Amish Patel, 43, was hit with two years and six months behind bars.
- Kenan Mitchell, 28, from Kent was sentenced to six years and nine months.
- Bridget Doherty, 24, from Essex received a 16 month suspended sentence over 24 months.
