Dark web drug kingpin among dealers taken off Sussex streets

Here are the dealers operating in Sussex that were jailed from May onwards.

May

Oussama Bouhamidi

Oussama Bouhamidi, 21, controlled the “Frank” and “Antz” drug lines that ran between London and Brighton between December 19, 2022, and February 22.

Police executed a warrant in Westcroft Close, Camden, in the early hours of Thursday, March 2.

Bouhamidi, who was inside, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

Several mobile phones were seized, alongside around £5,000 in cash, a significant quantity of crack cocaine and heroin and other drug paraphernalia.

On Wednesday, May 3, Bouhamidi, of Westcroft Close, Camden, was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison.

Oussama Bouhamidi (Image: Sussex Police)

June

Akil Atkins

Drug dealer Akil Atkins was caught in the act after police witnessed him doing a drug deal outside a hotel near Gatwick Airport.

Atkins drove off from officers in a hire car, and later made a false claim that he was the victim of a carjacking.

The car was later abandoned in Horley, where officers found methyl amphetamine (known as crystal meth) and cannabis inside.

Atkins, 28, attempted to cover his tracks by making a phone call to the Metropolitan Police, claiming he had been “robbed” of his vehicle at knifepoint.

But his DNA was found on a package of drugs in the car.

He had also left his passport, wallet, and documents confirming he had hired the car inside the vehicle.

He was jailed for two years.

July

James Buckett

A dark web drug dealer was busted after his landlord found his plans to set up a drug empire scribbled on an envelope in his flat.

James Buckett ran a four-man digital drug ring that sold cocaine, LSD, cannabis and pharmaceutical products internationally, with clients in France, Canada, the USA and Germany.

The 35-year-old used a boat at Brighton Marina as his business hub.

Buckett later moved into a flat in South Croydon but failed to pay rent – with his landlord forcing entry only to discover drugs, drug paraphernalia and the handwritten notes plotting the creation of his drug empire.

He was jailed for nine years.

James Buckett (Image: Sussex Police)

Rease Colebrook, Edson Cardoso and Gary Brown

A drug-dealing trio was busted by police after being caught selling crack cocaine and heroin to vulnerable people.

They were behind the "Sparky" county line in Eastbourne, but it was not long before officers raided properties in Eastbourne and London to seize the Class A drugs.

Rease Colebrooke, 29, of Normanton Street, Forest Hill in London, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, and possession of cannabis.

Edson Cardoso, 28, of Allwood Close in London, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, as well as possession with intent to supply more than a kilogram of cocaine.

Gary Brown, 28, of Larkbere Road, Lewisham in London, was charged with possession with intent to supply heroin, possession of an offensive weapon - a knuckle duster, and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.

Colebrooke was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, Cardoso to six years and four months’ imprisonment, and Brown to three years and four months’ imprisonment.

Rease Colebrook, Edson Cardoso and Gary Brown (Image: Sussex Police)

READ MORE: Drug dealer who operated from Brighton Marina jailed

Tanya Edwards

Dealer Tanya Edwards tried to swallow wraps of Class A drugs to avoid arrest.

Officers searched a property in St Leonards after two women, believed to be dealing drugs, were spotted coming and going from the address.

When they entered, they found Edwards attempting to swallow wraps of Class A drugs to try concealing them.

Edwards was charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, both heroin and crack cocaine, and possession of criminal property and was remanded in custody.

Following a week-long trial, a jury found Edwards, of Long Ley, Wolverhampton, guilty of all offences and she was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Many criminals were sent to jail in July alone. Read more about this here.