Drugs gang left cash in a fridge for letting agent
Property manager Natalie Child from Margate in Kent, was paid by gang members for access to empty flats to store drugs in Ramsgate.
Cash was left in a fridge for a letting agent who played a “key role” in empty flats being used by a drugs gang, a court has heard.
Natalie Child admitted helping the gang, although she denied knowing they were involved in supplying drugs.
The letting agent, who works for a local independent firm, had allowed gang members access to the two flats in Ramsgate, Kent, which they used to store large quantities of cocaine, cash (see main picture) and drug-related equipment.
Community order
Child, aged 33, of Naylands, Margate, was given a 12-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Detectives investigated a group led by Matthew O’Reilly who, between July 2022 and February 2023, regularly arranged for two other men – Carl Fincham and Rocco Inchenko – to collect, store and sell illegal substances on his behalf. In February 2023 officers stopped Inchenko walking in Cavendish Street.
They found him in possession of two large bricks of cocaine along with several other small packets of the class A drug. He also had a key fob that granted him access to a nearby flat.
Officers found a total of 1.2kg of cocaine valued at more than £30,000 in the flat.
Admitted
Child arrived and attempted to gain entry while officers were still in the flat. She admitted having giving Inchenko the keys, and was arrested.
Mobile phone evidence was used to prove O’Reilly had arranged for money to be left in a fridge for her to collect. She claimed to have been paid a total of £500 across several weeks.
The gang members were jailed for between five and eight years.
She played a key role in allowing these serious offences to be committed.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Aaron Chapman said: “The letting agent involved in this case claims that whilst she suspected the flats were being used for criminal purposes, she did not know it was related to the sale of cocaine.
“However, ignorance is not an excuse and she played a key role in allowing these serious offences to be committed.”
Read more about criminal agents.
This article shows two very important points:
Firstly, it is always massively overlooked and underestimated, (until something goes wrong), the trust of Landlords in giving keys to agents. As a Landlord you need to trust into your agent and as an agent you really need to understand and not just take that trust for granted.
Secondly, with this looming budget, perhaps we all have to look at alternative income streams!