Wickford: Drug dealer jailed

Last year, our officers attended Appletree Way, Wickford, following information that a drugs line was operating from a property there.

When they arrived on the morning of 14 September 2021, they detained Darren Lewis at the doorway.

Upon entering the property, they arrested Christian Bayoko. Beside him was a hammer and he was surrounded by 20 wraps of heroin and 66 wraps of crack cocaine.

During the search, officers seized drugs paraphernalia, two mobile phones, a hammer and a Samurai sword.

Officers investigating, valued the drugs at almost £1,700.

Christian Bayoko, 26 of Westbrook Road, Thornton Heath, and Darren Lewis, 37 of Appletree Way, were charged with drug-related offences and remanded in custody to appear at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates' Court two days later, 16 September 2021.

Both pleaded not guilty to all offences and stood trial at Basildon Crown Court when they were sentenced on 10 March.

Christian Bayoko was jailed for a total of 3 years and 6 months and fined £190 costs for being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

Darren Lewis was given a total 12-month community order for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack.

Police Constable Dan Onley, Operation Raptor, said:

“We don’t want any drugs on our streets.
“Thankfully, we have managed to stop these drugs making their way into the communities.
“Bayoko could have caused real harm had he succeeded in dealing these drugs before we seized them.”

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