Key Margate county lines dealer jailed for five years

A key member of Thanet’s county lines drug operation has been jailed for more than five years. 

Officers investigating the so-called ‘Larry’ line identified a house in Westbrook Road, Margate as a hub of drug dealing in the region.  

Entering the property on Wednesday 25 June 2025, officers arrested Joel Loba on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs and seized three phones, £1,360 cash and class A substances hidden on his person. 

Investigations had previously identified three phone numbers which sent out bulk marketing messages to known class A drug users in the Margate area. All three of these numbers were proven to be linked to Loba, including one of those phones being seized during the house search. 

The 27 year old, from Westbrook Road, was charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug and possession of criminal property. 

Loba pleaded guilty to all five charges during a court hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday 14 August 2025. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday 11 September 2025 to five years and seven months.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Holly Bayliss said:

‘Drugs destroy lives and have a negative impact on the communities affected. ‘Joel Loba played a pivotal role in distributing the most harmful drugs across the Thanet area, so we are very pleased he will see significant time behind bars.’