Adrian Badea had been directed to deliver cocaine to a number of people’s doorsteps in Tunbridge Wells in Kent after driving in his BMW from his home in Crewe, Cheshire
Adrian Badea tried to claim he was a tourist visiting Tunbridge Wells(Image: Kent Police / SWNS)
A drug dealer who was stopped by police 223 miles from his home tried to convince officers he was on holiday. Adrian Badea told the cops he was a tourist in Tunbridge Wells before admitting he was carrying cocaine after they pulled over his BMW in March 2023.
Bodycam footage shows the 27-year-old claiming he is just “visiting the city” from his home in Crewe, Cheshire. But he crumples under the pressure of further questioning as he admits to trafficking drugs.
Six bags of cocaine, cannabis and £130 in cash were uncovered in a search of Badea’s car. The drug pusher was arrested and it later emerged that he was working for an organised crime group.
Adrian Badea was in possession of cocaine and cannabis(Image: Kent Police / SWNS)
His black car had been linked to suspicious activity before it was stopped in a retail park, police said. Badea was later was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis, and driving without insurance.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, January 14, to two years and four months’ imprisonment.
Sgt 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.
Adrian Badea was arrested(Image: Kent Police / SWNS)
“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.”
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