EastEnders teen arrested for supplying drugs after hospital tragedy

Tonight's episode of EastEnders proved to be a dramatic one, with teenager Denzel Danes (Jaden Ladega) led away in handcuffs after being arrested and charged with supplying Class C drugs.

The arrest follows yesterday's (Wednesday) episode, in which Nugget was rushed to hospital after using performance-enhancing steroids, given to him by his friend Denzel. When doctors revealed that Nugget's kidneys were not responding to treatment and he might need long-term dialysis, Denzel went to visit him and confessed to Ravi and Priya that he had supplied Nugget with the drugs.

After Ravi reported him to the police, Denzel was arrested on tonight's (Thursday) episode for supplying drugs to Nugget. After police burst through the Danes' front door, an officer told Kim and Howie: “We have arrested Denzel on suspicion of supplying a Class C controlled substance to a minor under Section 18 of the Police and Evidence Act 1984. We have the authority to search this property,” he said.

Kim, shocked, replied: “No, Denzel is not a drug dealer. This has to be a joke. You should be ashamed of yourselves. All this brutality for a schoolboy and when it comes to important things, you drag things out for weeks. I'm telling you now, you've got the wrong boy.”

However, a police officer later came out of Denzel's room with the steroids in a plastic evidence bag. At the police station, Denzel called Zack Hudson to be his adult guardian during his questioning and told police, “It was just these online influencers. They were doing fitness exercises to help with weight gain and all that. They never said it was illegal,” he said.

When asked by police if he gave the steroids to Nugget, Denzel replied, “Yes, but I didn't make any profit. I can show you the links I used and the DMs. [direct messages] I figured these guys were making it seem like everyone was using them and they were totally safe. Now Nugget is in the hospital.

After the interview, Nugget reunited with his parents and Zach told them, “He's being released while they discuss a juvenile bond. If all goes well and the bond is approved, he won't be charged again.” A relieved Kim then told Denzel he was a “dumb boy” before pulling him into a big hug.

Later at home, Howie spoke to Denzel, telling the entire family, “I'm glad to hear my son is not a drug dealer. He's not stupid enough to be a drug dealer. But he is stupid enough to be doing steroids.”

When Denzel insisted that he would no longer take steroids and that it was “not a problem,” Howie responded, “It is a problem! We're going to the hospital to get you checked out by a doctor because what you did was reckless and irresponsible.”

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.