Three drug smugglers have been jailed for bringing more than £1.5 million of cannabis into the country.

The trio, who are all from Medway, were jailed for more than 12 years at Maidstone Crown Court after being arrested last year after a tip-off that they were importing large amounts of the drug.

Officers from Kent Police's serious organised crime unit carried out an extensive investigation and were able to confiscate more than 200kg of the drug before it hit to the streets.

Kevin Gordon Bennett, 46, from Glovers Mill, Rochester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cannabis, conspiracy to supply cannabis, conspiracy to cultivate cannabis and possession of a section one firearm, which was a taser gun.

He was sentenced to six years in total.

Stuart John McCall, 42, also from Glovers Mill, Rochester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

McCall was sentenced to two years and nine months.

Nigel Kevin White, 29, from Bligh Way, Strood, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis.

The jury found him not guilty of conspiracy to cultivate cannabis and possession of a firearm.

White was sentenced to four years.

Det Sgt Andy Nicoll said: "Drugs have a devastating impact on our communities.

"We will take every step possible to ensure that illegal drugs are removed from circulation within our county.

The sentencing has not only removed £1.5 million of herbal cannabis from our streets, but also three offenders who have been sentenced for their crimes."

The judge in the case, Judge Carey, praised Kent Police for "its thorough and efficient investigation" and commended two officers, Det Con Denis Courtney and Det Con John Kahl.

The investigation started in September 2009 when officers were told of a consignment at Heathrow airport which had been imported from Asia.

The shipment contained picture frames but following further examination, officers found 40 silver foil bags containing cannabis underneath the picture frames.

The estimated street value of this consignment is about £720,000.

Later that month, officers were told about another shipment at Southampton docks which had also been imported from Asia.

The shipment was found to contain computer desks.

However, further examination showed the flat pack boxes also contained eight silver foil bags containing cannabis.

The estimated street value of this shipment was about £831,800.

Both consignments were scheduled to be delivered to addresses in the Rochester area which were later found to be unrelated to the crimes.

Officers tracked one of the shipments to an address in Rochester and executed a warrant at the premises.

A search of the address found two hydroponic cannabis factories, one of which was behind a false wall within a garage.

The cultivation unit contained 22 cannabis plants.

The second unit was found in a first floor bedroom and while no growing plants were found, officers found cannabis residue on the floor.

A black tasar gun was also seized from this address.

The estimated street value of the drugs found at this address is believed to be in excess of £200,000.