Drug gang supplying north and west Kent jailed

Detectives investigating the supply of drugs in north and west Kent have dismantled an organised crime group with the majority of those involved being jailed.

The ‘Blue Eyes’ gang was established by Jamie Bennett in 2019 and he employed several dealers to supply cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and other drugs to customers across the county. Bennett gave them stolen cars displaying false number plates to assist with the deliveries.

In 2020, investigators identified the phone numbers used by Bennett’s dealers and, over the following two years, several were tracked down and arrested in possession of drugs whilst travelling in Kent and south London.

Drugs seized

Bennett was detained on three occasions and a search at the address he shared with his partner, Sinead Taylor, led to the seizure of almost 5,000 MDMA tablets, around 2,000 class C tablets, £5,600 in cash, cocaine and ketamine. The constables also seized two stolen cars.

With some assistance from the Metropolitan Police, detectives rounded up the rest of the gang. Many were in stolen cars on false number plates whilst carrying drug supplies.

Those detained included Jeffrey Reeves and Levi Taylor in Orpington; Joe Raven on two occasions whilst in Gravesend and Dartford; Shakai Wilson in Bromley and Jamie Turner in Wainscott.

Examination of text messages from the seized phones proved that Sinead Taylor and Maisey Barrett were also involved in the criminal organisation and both were arrested.

All eight were charged with multiple charges of conspiracy to supply drugs including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, ketamine and class C drugs. Bennett was also charged with two counts of handling stolen property.

Barrett, Levi Taylor and Wilson pleaded not guilty and were convicted following a trial at Croydon Crown Court. Sinead Taylor pleaded guilty to being concerned in a money laundering arrangement and participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Her other charges were ordered to remain on file. The others pleaded guilty to their indictments.

Sentenced

Over two days on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 February 2025, the offenders were sentenced. Bennett, 36, of Mosyer Drive, Orpington, was jailed for eight years and three months.

Turner, 27, of Beddington Road, Orpington, and Levi Taylor, 29, of The Street, Adisham, Canterbury, both received three years and eight months’ imprisonment. Turner’s prison term included time for breach of a suspended sentence. Wilson, 21, of Gillmans Road, Orpington, received three years and six months’ imprisonment.

Raven, 23, of Estuary Road, Sheerness, was sent to prison for two years and eight months; while Barrett, 28, of Bryant Street, Chatham, was jailed for five years. Her imprisonment included a sentence for an unconnected charge of wounding with intent.

Reeves, 43, of Ryarsh Crescent, Orpington, and Sinead Taylor, 31, of no fixed address, received suspended sentences.

Detective Constable John Carless, said:

‘This organised crime gang, headed by Bennett, had a network of people involved in the supply of considerable amounts of drugs to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The network operated covertly, often using stolen cars on false number plates, and those involved believed their crimes would go undetected.
'However, this misplaced arrogance was their downfall as, once we had identified a small part of the drug supply organisation, we followed all the available leads to identify the key players. At that point it was only a matter of time before we tracked them all down and ultimately brought them to justice.’