Two homeless drug dealers caught selling class A drugs in the street have both been jailed for more than three years.

Brian Valencia-Caiza and Jorge Toapanta-Sanchez were found with stashes of heroin and cocaine when they were arrested in Gravel Walk, Canterbury in October.

Toapanta-Sanchez was seen moments earlier in St Peter’s Street passing drugs to a woman as Valencia-Caiza kept watch.

As well as discovering drugs hidden among layers of clothing, officers found Toapanta-Sanchez in possession of a kitchen knife with a five-inch blade and a set of scales.

Valencia-Caiza was found to have hundreds of pounds in cash and two mobile phones - one of which stored messages advertising special offers on drugs including bonuses for new customers.

The homeless pair were jailed at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday, November 16 to three years and eight months each.

They admitted joint enterprise charges of possessing quantities of heroin and of cocaine, with intent to supply, and carrying a knife.

Detective constable Steve East said: "Drugs can destroy lives and have a negative impact on communities. These two travelled from out the county and thought they could establish themselves in the area as local dealers but now they have been put out of business.

"We do not tolerate drug dealers and welcome any information from residents who may have knowledge of this illegal activity happening near where they live. It helps us to apprehend these criminals and bring them to court."