Basildon teen convicted after knife found in waistband during suspected drug deal
Officers spotted the 18-year-old doing what appeared to be a drug deal, so searched him
Last updated 25th Jun 2026
An 18-year-old man from Basildon has been convicted for drug supply and knife possession offences after being arrested in the town centre.
Charlie Baldwin, from Rokells, was detained by plain clothes neighbourhood policing officers at Eastgate Shopping Centre on 22nd June, when they suspected a drug deal was taking place.
He was searched, revealing 20 wraps of cannabis, two cannabis grinders, and a large kitchen knife stuffed in the waistband of his trousers.
At his court hearing the following day, Baldwin was convicted of possessing a knife in a public place and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
He will be sentenced at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on 21st August.