Three drug dealers who sold crack cocaine and heroin as part of a county lines gang network have been jailed following house raids.

Searches were carried out at addresses in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham and in Beckenham Road, Beckenham earlier this year.

Officers from the police's county lines and gangs team carried out simultaneous warrants and arrested three men for their part in distributing and supplying crack cocaine and heroin across Medway.

Robert Downey was arrested inside his Magpie Hall Road home along with Mohamud Salah, who was also in the property.

During a search of the house officers found mobile phones used for drug dealing and Salah was found in possession of 50 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin. He also had a large amount of cash on him.

At the same time Leesean Francis, 22, of Bridgetown Close, London, was found inside the Beckenham address with several mobile phones which were later identified as being used as part of the "Dutch" drug network.

The trio had sold the class A drugs across the Medway towns and were arrested on January 25.

A mobile phone found on 21-year-old Salah showed bulk marketing messages for the "Blacks" drug network and it was later revealed that he had been used as a drug runner for distributing drugs across the area.

Further investigation also showed CCTV of Downey carrying out drug deals near to his home, as well as showing Francis attending the address several times.

The trio pleaded guilty to their charges and were sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court last Monday.

Francis admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and he was jailed for five years and eight months.

Also appearing before the court, Robert Downey, aged 40, admitted being concerned in the offer to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

He was joined by Mohamud Salah, of Coupland Place, London, who admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine. He also admitted possession of criminal property.

They were both jailed for two years and three months.

Investigating officer John Carless said: "This is a justified sentencing for three drug dealers who targeted vulnerable people across Medway.

"Drug dealing not only destroys the life of the user but affects their friends and family. Drug dealing and drug use causes a blight on local communities and often leads to anti-social behaviour.

"We will continue to work hard in order to disrupt the supply and distribution of drug networks across Kent and Medway."