The head of a Kent drugs network responsible for the supply of cocaine in Medway has been jailed for more than 10 years.

Daniel Delaney, 38, of Dixwell Close, Gillingham, employed a number of his associates to distribute the Class A drug throughout the towns, communicating with them via cheap mobile phones that were frequently changed to avoid police attention.

He was arrested on Tuesday, November 5, and charged the following day when detectives were able to link him to a number of associates who had already been taken into custody.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court Delaney admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months’ imprisonment today.

Through an in-depth analysis of mobile phone evidence, detectives were able to link him to the following cases:

• In May 2019, a 32-year-old man from Gillingham was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.

He was found to have been in possession of a bag containing several blocks of cocaine stamped with the Batman logo, and also had tens of thousands of pounds hidden in a secret compartment behind the rear passenger seat of his car.

• In June 2019, a 46-year-old travel agent from Lordswood was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to possession of criminal property and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

He was found to have hidden more than £40,000 within the walls of his office in High Street, Rochester.

• In December 2019, a 33-year-old man from Gillingham was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and possession of an illegal firearm.

He was arrested the previous April when officers discovered a block of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun at his home address.

Chief Inspector Ian Dyball, district commander for Medway, said: "Daniel Delaney is a key figure in the supply of cocaine throughout Medway and his sentencing is a significant victory in the fight to eliminate this harmful trade from our streets.

"Delaney was always very careful to distance himself from the cash and drugs changing hands on a daily basis, but he did not count on the exceptional work being carried out behind the scenes by a team of experienced detectives who were intent on bringing him to justice. He will now serve a significant period of time behind bars for these very serious offences."

Kent Police footage shows cash being removed from the walls of an office in Rochester

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