Jailed Tonbridge drug dealer ordered to pay £215,000

A convicted Tonbridge drugs boss has had his illegal venture ruined after a Kent Police investigation led to him losing more than £215,000.

Daniel Bruford had been operating multiple cocaine supply lines across west Kent, known locally as the ‘Scarface’ network. Over the course of almost a year, Bruford controlled several phones to facilitate more than 32,000 calls and text messages advertising cocaine. He used runners to deliver the drugs through a system of texts and postcodes.

Bruford was arrested during the early hours of 27 September 2024, when officers executed a search warrant at his property in Mount Pleasant Court, Hildenborough. They recovered several weapons, which included knuckle dusters, machetes and an extendable baton. Cocaine deals and more than £1,100 in cash were also seized.

Within 24 hours of his arrest, Bruford pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court to being concerned in the supply of cocaine (between October 2023 and September 2024). He also admitted possessing criminal property (namely the seized cash), as well as charges of possessing offensive weapons.

Bruford was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 12 February 2025, to five years and six months’ imprisonment.

Seizing criminal cash and assets

After Bruford was jailed, the force’s financial investigators continued to examine his finances and assets which he had accumulated during his time breaking the law and it was established that the 29 year old had benefitted by thousands of pounds.

At a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 24 September 2026, a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was made. Bruford was ordered to pay a total of £215,623. Assets seized included several high-value watches and cash, which were found in a safe deposit box belonging to Bruford.

Detective Inspector David Godfrey said:

‘Nobody should be able to benefit financially when committing crime, and in Daniel Bruford’s case, the extent of drug dealing carried out through a network he managed would have caused so much misery to vulnerable people. While he was offending and making money by it, the wider community did not benefit at all by his actions. ‘Our financial investigators were determined to ensure his assets were no longer available to him. I hope this sends out a strong reminder to anyone thinking they can make their living illegally, that crime simply does not pay.’