Pair jailed for role in supplying drugs

TWO drug criminals from Tunbridge Wells and Northiam have been jailed for a total of 13-and-a-half years.

Heroin addict David Walters, 44, of Oast Crockers Lane, Northiam, was imprisoned for seven years for conspiracy to supply drugs.

The judge said he had played a "very necessary part" in the wholesale supply chain.

Malcolm Baxter, 64, of Rowan Tree Road, Showfields, Tunbridge Wells, was jailed for six-and-a-half years for possessing criminal property. The court heard Baxter had played a "full part" in organising the hand-over of drugs to Walters.

Both pleaded guilty to the offences at Maidstone Crown Court.

Judge David Caddick said he was aware Baxter was "an ill man" and older than Walters, but added "one would hope that with age, came wisdom".

Ian Hope, prosecuting, told the court how police saw Walters drive his Range Rover Discovery into the grounds of Lake Lodge House, in Pembury Road, Tonbridge, on March 30. Baxter was waiting in a Mercedes car. A bag was then transferred from Baxter's vehicle to Walters', who took the bag to some nearby woodland. The men then drove away.

When police combed the area they found a bag containing three kilos of cocaine with a possible street value of up to £250,000.

During a later search of Baxter's home, police found more than £88,000 in cash. And at Walters' home officers found mobile phones with numbers on them for Europe and the Far East.

The jury was told Walters was rich and that "over the years" nearly £250,000 had been paid into his bank accounts, but Baxter was not a man of "significant means".

Mr Hope said: "He is playing his role, effectively passing drugs up the chain."

Walters' counsel, Iain Reed, said Walters had "a substantial heroin habit" but said the men were "lowly players" in the drugs world.

Baxter's counsel, Gareth Munday, told the court his client was soon expected to undergo open heart surgery. He added Baxter got involved in drugs supply late in life and had been looking after other people's money.