A 23-year-old man from Crawley and a 42-year-old man from Saltdean have been jailed for running the ‘Charlie’ drug line.
The men came to the attention of officers through mobile phone intel of the drug line in May of last year.
Officers established the pair were operating the line.
It was understood that 23-year-old Charlie Harris was the controller, and 42-year-old Ross Sandwell held the mobile line used to run the operation.
Warrants were executed by Sussex Police and Metropolitan Police officers on Monday 14 May 2025, at two addresses: one in Suez Way, Brighton and another in Johnson Walk, Crawley.
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.
Charlie Harris, 23, of Johnson Walk, Crawley was jailed for five years and six months.
Ross Sandwell, 42, of Suez Way, Saltdean, Brighton, 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.
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