Two men who ran a drugs line known as Charlie selling to customers in Brighton have been jailed.
Ross Sandwell, 42, and Charlie Harris, 23, were busted after two raids at their homes in Suez Way, Saltdean and Johnson Walk, Crawley in May last year.
They had come to the attention of police through mobile phone intel of the drug line. It was understood that Harris was the controller, and Sandwell held the mobile line used to run the operation.
Officers seized a number of items including three mobile phones, two SIM cards, a quantity of cannabis, and £245 in cash from the address in Crawley. Harris was located at the property and arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
He was recalled to prison after being released on licence whilst serving a sentence for a previous drug supply conviction that he was jailed for in May 2024.
During the warrant at the address in Suez Way, officers seized two mobile phones, and a quantity of cannabis was seized. Sandwell was also located and arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and for possession of a class B drug.
The next day Harris and Sandwell were each charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possession of a class B drug and being concerned in the offer to supply heroin.
Both men appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court and were remanded into custody.
On 10 June 2025, Sandwell and Harris appeared and Crawley Magistrates’ Court and both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, both Sandwell and Harris changed their pleas to guilty ahead of the trial due at Lewes Crown Court on 3 November 2025.
Both men instead appeared at Brighton Crown Court on 30 January this year for sentencing.
Harris was jailed for five years and six months. Sandwell was jailed for three years.
The officer in charge of this case, Detective Constable Bav Chahal, said: “Illicit drugs and the drug lines that supply them cause immense harm to our communities and often to those who are most vulnerable.
“I am pleased to see this supply of illegal drugs disrupted and those responsible brought to justice.
“Our pursuit of offenders operating drug lines remains relentless as we strive to protect communities across Sussex.”
