A drug dealer who sent thousands of messages to 150 contacts has been jailed for three years.

Alex Underwood, from Tunbridge Wells, admitted distributing cocaine and cannabis across west Kent.

The 29-year-old had been stopped by police on Tuesday, March 5 when he was walking to his VW Passat car in Leigh near Tonbridge.

He told officers they would find a “couple of bits and bobs’” but a search led to the seizure of a stab vest, scales and multiple deal bags.

Also found in the car were two mobile handsets which matched to active supply lines.

One of these phones had been used to send 9,296 messages to more than 150 different contacts, between the end of September last year and early January.

Underwood, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs, namely cocaine and cannabis.

Watch the moment Underwood’s car is searched by investigators. Footage: Kent Police

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, where he also admitted a further offence of possessing cannabis and was given a three-year sentence on Thursday, April 4.

Officers dismantled the drug dealer's network after intelligence linked him to evidence of extensive criminal activity, between last September and March.

PC Rob Harrison of the Tunbridge Wells Community Safety Unit said: “Underwood’s criminality was far-reaching and has impacted communities across several areas including Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Paddock Wood and Hildenborough.

“The fact he chose to carry a stab vest in his car provided further evidence of his involvement in what was a significant supply chain and clearly illustrates the threat of violence associated with this type of offending.

“This sentence demonstrates, yet again, just how effective our officers are in identifying those who wrongly believe they can operate in our towns and villages without consequence.

“We are showing time and time again that the reality is that anyone involved in the supply of drugs can expect a robust response and ultimately a prison sentence.”