Maidstone Dealer Jailed After Trading Drugs for Pokémon Cards

A 26-year-old man from London Road in Maidstone has been jailed for three years and four months after admitting dealing cocaine and cannabis in the town - with the case taking an unusual turn once officers went through his phone and found some customers had been settling drug debts in Pokémon cards rather than cash.

Officers searched his home on Friday 1 May, detaining him and seizing two mobile phones, nearly 110g of cannabis, more than 25g of cocaine, scales, empty deal bags, around £2,000 in cash - and a box of rare collectible trading cards judged to be of real monetary value. Reviewing his devices afterwards, investigators found messages consistent with marketing and supplying drugs, including videos of him stashing packets for customers to collect, plus references to being paid via cash, bank transfer and Pokémon cards.

He was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and possession of criminal property covering both the cash and the cards. He pleaded guilty to all counts and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 17 September. The cash and card collection are now subject to a Deprivation Order, meaning neither will be returned to him.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Emily Hill said: "[He] is rightly serving time behind bars for selfishly taking advantage of vulnerable members of the Maidstone community for his own financial gain. He attempted to mitigate his crime at court, claiming family commitments should be taken into account. The judge refused to accept this as reasonable argument and point blankly expressed that his family must be so disappointed in him. Trading Pokémon cards is a fun activity for all ages, but substances are dangerous; they destroy communities, and - in the worst cases - leave friends and families bereft. So, when it comes to those dealing drugs on Kent's streets, our officers are on a mission to catch them all." Source: Kent Police