Three people operating a county lines drug dealing operation into the county have been jailed.

Police on patrol in Gravesend in 2019 had arrested Brendan Slepcik, 21, and Umair Ashraf, 24, after both were seen acting suspiciously.

After being searched, officers uncovered a quantity of heroin and crack cocaine.

A further search of Slepcik's address in Bernard Street in the town, found further evidence of drug dealing.

The police's county lines and gang team probed the duo's phones and established they were working together to supply drugs into Gravesend. Both were charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

However, while on bail, it emerged Slepcik was continuing to run the county line - known as the Chico line - from his home in Doncaster.

As police investigated, Kabir Ali, 34, was found to be sourcing drugs from London to be sold by others.

Both were arrested and charged with supplying heroin and crack cocaine.

All three men pleaded guilty when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

Slepcik was jailed for 48 months, Ashraf, from Norfolk Road, Gravesend was sentenced to 30 months. Ali,, from London, was jailed for five years and eight months.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Matthew Ward, said: "Drug dealers cause misery to others, their families and the wider community and jail sentences for this trio are entirely appropriate.

"We are committed to eradicating county line dealing in Kent and will relentlessly pursue those who seek to bring the drugs in to our county and exploit some of the most vulnerable people in our communities."