A teenager who was caught dealing drugs from the home of an addict has been locked up for four-and-a-half years.

Described as a county lines case where dealers use youngsters outside their usual operating area, Sergio Julio travelled from London and moved into the vulnerable drug user’s home – known as cuckooing.

Maidstone Crown Court heard police were called by a member of the public who was concerned about drug dealing from the property in Balmoral Road, Gillingham.

Prosecutor James Bloomer said there was no reply when officers knocked at the door.

It was insecure and they went in and found Julio sitting on the sofa using his phone. A closed lock knife was by his side.

Two more phones were seized and when searched the 19-year-old had 25 wraps of heroin and 25 wraps of crack cocaine down his trousers.

He claimed he had been asked to hold them and they were not his.

Mr Bloomer said Julio, of Albert Road, Croydon, south east London, admitted two offences of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Mr Bloomer said the teenager had a number of significant previous convictions for drugs and possessing knives.

In December 2016, he was sentenced to 28 months youth custody for dealing in class A drugs.

Richard Reynolds, defending, said Julio was not the main operator. He had been supplied with the drugs by a man he declined to name.

"I am absolutely sure this is a county line operation..." - Judge Charles Macdonald QC

“He would be told to keep some of the drugs,” said Mr Reynolds.

“He was taken advantage of. He was feeding his habit. That’s why he was involved."

Passing sentence, Judge Charles Macdonald QC said: “You lived in London. I am absolutely sure this is a county line operation.

"The suggestion you were given the drugs in Gillingham is manifestly implausible.

“This is street dealing. I am satisfied you had a significant role.

"As a previous trafficker, you knew what was going on. You had an operational function in the chain.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Spencer said: “Drug dealers like Sergio Julio will go to great lengths to avoid being arrested, and will often seek to sell their product behind closed doors.

“Unfortunately, this often happens at the homes of vulnerable people who are threatened with violence and forced to let the criminals in.

“Sometimes the vulnerable person is complicit in the offending and will happily give up their property in exchange for free drugs.

“We take a zero tolerance approach to drug-dealing and will seek to prosecute anyone who seeks to benefit from the sale of substances that ruin people’s lives.

“Anyone who suspects drug-dealing in their area is urged to report it by visiting www.kent.police.uk/report or by calling 101.”