A county drugs line known as “Giant”, which supplied crack cocaine and heroin across Eastern Surrey, West Sussex, Kent and South London, has been dismantled after all four defendants involved in its operation were sentenced.

The investigation began in May 2025 when officers uncovered messages relating to the operation during an unrelated drugs enquiry. What initially appeared to be a handful of messages soon revealed something far larger – a county drugs line operating across multiple force areas.

Officers from Centurion, the dedicated Surrey and Sussex Police team tackling county lines drug activity, joined forces with Surrey Police’s Eastern Proactive Investigation Team to identify those behind the line and build a detailed picture of how it operated.

Analysis of mobile phone data quickly became central to the investigation. A drugs expert examining the phone line identified bulk marketing messages being sent to users advertising the availability of Class A drugs. Messages including “LIVE DELIVERY GIANT” and “GIANT FAT SIZES DELIVERIES” provided investigators with early evidence of the line’s activity and reach.

As officers worked backwards from the phone data, they identified Kenan Mitchell, 28 (DOB: 27/10/1997) from Kent, as a key figure within the network. Investigators established that he was linked to four separate mobile phone numbers, while analysis of his personal device revealed videos depicting large quantities of cash, expensive watches and aspects of a lavish lifestyle.

The investigation then uncovered significant links between Mitchell and Bridget Doherty, 24 (DOB:21/05/2002) from Essex. Analysis of phone data revealed Mitchell and Doherty played closely linked roles in the operation of the Giant line.

As officers continued to unravel the network, two more individuals were linked to the operation.

Jaipaul Johnson, 20 (DOB: 16/11/2005) and Amish Patel, 43 (DOB: 29/07/1982) both from Crawley, were identified after purchasing phone top-ups for the drugs line. Messages showed users arranging drug deals through the line, with locations then being relayed directly to Johnson, providing further evidence of his role in the operation. Meanwhile, further data revealed Patel accompanying Johnson on journeys to London to meet with Mitchell.

As the investigation gathered pace, officers steadily cut the Giant line down to size, identifying those responsible and building the evidence needed to secure warrants.

When Johnson was arrested, he was found in possession of 147 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, £370 in cash and several mobile phones.

Searches carried out at Doherty’s address, where both Doherty and Mitchell were arrested, uncovered 18.2g of cocaine and the main Giant line phone. Further searches of addresses linked to Mitchell uncovered between £20,000 and £30,000 in cash, 88.8g of cocaine and multiple mobile phones. Officers also recovered scales, snap bags and handwritten telephone numbers consistent with drug supply activity.

A search of Patel’s address resulted in officers recovering his mobile phone, scales, a quantity of cocaine, a crossbow and a knuckle duster.

Investigating officer PC Geordie Logan said: “This was an extremely complex investigation involving months of detailed phone analysis, intelligence development and proactive policing activity.

“The defendants played significant roles in a county drugs line responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin across multiple counties. The harm caused by Class A drugs extends far beyond those selling and using them; it impacts entire communities. Through the collaboration between teams and partner forces, we were able to identify those responsible, dismantle the line and bring those involved before the courts.

“We remain committed to tackling county drugs lines and would encourage anyone with concerns about drug dealing in their community to report it to us.”

The group were sentenced as follows:

– Appearing at Guildford Crown Court on 3 June, Kenan Mitchell, 28 (DOB: 27/10/1997) from Kent was sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment.

– Bridget Doherty, 24 (DOB:21/05/2002) from Essex received a 16 month suspended sentence over 24 months.

– Jaipaul Johnson, 20 (DOB: 16/11/2005) from Crawley was sentenced to seven years and two months’ imprisonment.

– Amish Patel, 43 (DOB: 29/07/1982) from Crawley was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment.

A six-year-old girl and her father had to be airlifted to hospital following an incident at a barbecue in Crawley.

The event was taking place on Worth Road on Sunday evening.

It’s reported that the child suffered serious burns.

Sussex police officers attended the scene.

For anyone who was delayed by train services to Gatwick Airport or Brighton on Sunday this was caused by sinkholes.

Planned engineering work was taking place on a bridge just outside of Purley station when the holes were discovered.

Lines between Purley and East Croydon were immediately closed for the safety of passengers which also meant the Gatwick Express was suspended.

Network Rail apologised to customers who were impacted by the delays and said they were working as quickly as possible to safely open the railway.

A new, permanent Banking Hub is set to open this summer in Dorking

The current temporary banking hub, which has been available at Mole Valley District Council’s Pippbrook offices for the past 14 months, will soon be relocated to a new, permanent home in Dorking Town Centre. Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect access to cash across the UK, is fitting out a former bank branch, with a view to the hub opening its doors to customers of the major banks in the coming months.

Banking hubs are introduced in areas where bank branches have been closed to ensure customers can still carry out essential day-to day transactions, such as paying in cash and cheques, withdrawing cash, paying utility bills or topping up gas and electricity at convenient high street locations. These hubs also offer an opportunity for customers to talk to a community banker from their bank in a private space about in-depth or more complex issues.

Having seen all bank branches in Dorking close in recent times, Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) has been at the centre of calls for improved banking services in Dorking and Leatherhead. Despite a concerted effort by MVDC, the outcome of an appeal in 2025 supported LINK’s view that Leatherhead does not currently meet the criteria for a banking hub. An automated deposit service was installed on North Street instead.

While the search for a permanent home was ongoing, a temporary hub has been available for customers of the major banks in MVDC’s Pippbrook offices in Dorking since March last year. Until the new banking hub opens on the site formerly occupied by Natwest Bank (14 High Street, Dorking, RH4 1AX), customers can still visit the temporary provision during the working week, 9am to 5pm. The banking hub has a counter service where customers can access services whenever the hub is open. Community bankers are also available on the following days:
Monday: HSBC

Tuesday: Barclays

Wednesday: Santander

Thursday: NatWest

Friday: Lloyds

Ahead of the banking hub opening on the high street, Cash Access UK has planned an information drop-in at Dorking’s Friday Market in St Martin’s Walk on 12 June 2026 from 8am to 2pm, where representatives will be available to answer any questions residents may have.

Vanessa Robinson, Regional Manager (London & Southeast) at Cash Access UK, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing a permanent banking hub to Dorking High Street. The hub will play a key role in providing access to cash and everyday banking services for the local community. We would like to thank the team at MVDC’s Pippbrook offices for hosting the temporary hub while work on the new premises is completed. We will keep the community updated on our progress and look forward to opening the permanent hub soon.”

Councillor Paula Keay, MVDC’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy, said: “It is very pleasing that the search for a permanent home for a Banking hub in the centre of Dorking High Steet has concluded. Not only will customers of major banks soon be able to access services specific to their own bank in a convenient high street location, but the future of a former prominent vacant unit in the town has also been secured for the long term. Mole Valley ranks among the lowest areas in the country for access to cash, with very limited ATM provision and we know that residents and businesses in the north of the district also want a banking hub to be established in Leatherhead. However, for now, there is a single banking hub available to everybody in Mole Valley.”

Tandridge District Council has been granted a final injunction against unauthorised development on land at Hill View Manor Park, also known as Highview, at Beech Farm Road in Warlingham.

The judge ordered that the land should be cleared of static caravans and restored to its original state with the exception of four gypsy and traveller pitches which obtained planning permission in 2019.

The High Court orders were granted against 25 named defendants. The time allowed for compliance varies from three months to one day.

The judge stated the defendants had committed “clear and flagrant” breaches of planning rules and that council officers had been “careful and measured in their testimony.”

His judgement went on to say: “An important matter in this case is the need to enforce planning control and to recognise the benefit that the appropriate and firm exercise of such control provides to the community as a whole. That is particularly so here because I have found that the breach is persistent and flagrant. Enforcement and Stop notices have been ineffective.”

Catherine Sayer, Leader of the Council, said: “This unauthorised development has been a long running problem for the local community and this judgement is very welcome. Council officers have put a large amount of time and effort into dealing with the case, in often very difficult circumstances, and I was pleased to see the judge recognised that and found that some of the defendants had deliberately put obstacles in the way of the attempts by officers to obtain information and had obstructed their inquiries.”