Roadside insurance check leads to class A drug arrest

A man has been charged with multiple offences following a proactive stop by officers from the local policing team in Canterbury.

On Wednesday 9 July, officers pulled over a vehicle in Bishops Way, Canterbury, after checks revealed it had no valid insurance, and the driver was also unable to produce a valid driving licence when requested to. During a search of the car, officers discovered 18 bags of cannabis and six bags of white powder, later confirmed to be cocaine.

The driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply class A and B drugs, and for driving without insurance or a licence.

Later enquiries revealed that he was also connected to two separate incidents of arson in June 2024, allegedly setting fire to two telecommunication cabinets, causing a combined total of £5,400 in damages. These incidents disrupted phone services for hundreds of BT customers across Canterbury, and left people without access to vital communications for hours.

Following enquiries by officers, Rigers Lulo, of no fixed address, appeared before Margate Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 10 July where he was charged with:

• Possession of a class A drug
• Possession of a class B drug
• Driving with no insurance
• Driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with their licence
• Two counts of arson

He has been remanded in custody until his next court hearing.

PC Scott, of Canterbury’s Local Policing Team, said:

'This case highlights how even a routine traffic stop can lead to breakthroughs in seemingly unrelated cases. 'By carrying out this check, officers were able to not only take dangerous drugs off the streets but were also able to identify a suspect wanted in connection to a serious crime that happened months earlier. Kent Police will continue to disrupt criminal activity wherever it is found.'