An “evil” Dover drug dealer, caught in a police undercover swoop, has been given a nine year jail sentence.

William Harkins had been arrested in an area-wide crackdown on people who peddle Class A drugs on the streets of Dover.

He had denied dealing heroin and crack cocaine but a jury at Canterbury Crown Court found him guilty.

Now Judge Simon James told the 53-year-old dealer, of Melbourne Avenue: “Highly addictive drugs ruin lives.

“Quite apart from the misery they inevitably bring to addicts and their families, they have a corrosive effect on society.”

The judge said that seaside towns in Kent “seem to be particularly under siege from the spectre of drug abuse and much needed regeneration is being hampered by the community having to deal with the consequences of having a thriving and open drugs market on its doorstep.”

He said dealers like Harkins sought to profit from “this evil trade” and seemed oblivious to the affects it had on others.

“You are an individual at the very top of this street dealing commercial operation.”

He added: “But you need to understand, such behaviour will not be tolerated and there is a need for sentences which it must be hoped will deter others from becoming involved.”

Judge James added that the “phenomena” of London drug gangs coming to Kent to “increase their sphere of influence” had led to an upsurge in the availability of hard drugs and “an importation” of gang culture in the county.

He praised the unnamed undercover officer who trapped the dealer saying he deserved a commendation for his “service to the community at considerable personal risk”.

Kent Police charged 23 people with drug offences following dawn raids in May.

More than 100 officers carried out 20 warrants over three days at addresses in Dover, Deal, Gravesend and London.

The police raids were the result of a year-long undercover operation to crackdown on drug dealing in the area.

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