Crawley Drug Dealer Jailed

A Crawley drug dealer has been jailed after officers found him in possession of cocaine, crack and heroin with a street value of between £12,800 to £18,500.

Devante Bicette, 25, was driving on Northgate Avenue on July 13 when he was stopped by officers from the force’s Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU)

They had information on how his hire car had links to County lines dealers operating between London and Sussex.

Officers attempted to search Bicette - he tried to make a run for it, but was eventually stopped and arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Officers found our wraps of class A drugs in his underwear and more than £200 in cash in his pockets.

They then found a large amount of Class A drugs in his car.

Bicette, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court.

He admitted three counts of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and disqualified from driving for 28 months.

The court ordered £260 in cash seized to be forfeited.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Jonathan Hartley said:

“Through targeted activity from the Specialist Enforcement Unit, Bicette was detained with a significant amount of Class A drugs found on him.

“The inquiry was managed by our SEU investigations team who sought a charge for drug supply and for a remand into custody.

“Due to the strength of the evidence and quality of our investigation Bicette pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“The sentence imposed by the court demonstrates the seriousness of the offence and shows the SEU will continue to target those causing harm to our communities.”