A drug dealer who had a £500,000 stash of clash-A drugs and an arsenal of weapons stashed away has been jailed.

David Allen was caught by police following a raid on his lock-up near Bethersden last year.

The 54-year-old had been identified as being involved in drug dealing around Kent following investigations led by detectives.

On July 27 last year officers carried out a warrant at an industrial estate after Allen was seen approaching the site in his van.

He was arrested and a container he had the keys to was searched.

Inside officers found more than 60kg of amphetamine, more than a kilo of cocaine and around £70,000 in cash.

Also discovered were two small guns, which Allen claimed were antiques, but which were later found to be viable.

Detectives also found drug packaging, money counting machines, needles and syringes and a purity test for cocaine.

At his home nearby, police seized 25 designer watches, ledgers recording deals, plus CS spray and a knuckleduster.

Further examination later estimated the drugs' street value to be around £500,000.

Allen, of Green Lane, Marden, was charged with and later admitted possessing amphetamine and cocaine with intent to supply, three charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and possessing criminal property.

He was brought before Maidstone Crown Court yesterday where he was jailed for six years.

Detective Inspector Stacey Chapman, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “Our officers have seized a large amount of class-A drugs, which would have profited criminal networks and led to further crime and more offences.

“'The weapons we found illustrate all to clearly the violence, or threat of violence, which goes hand in hand with drug dealing, and I am pleased those weapons have been taken off the streets.

”'I urge anyone thinking of taking the course chosen by Allen, and joining a criminal group, to think again.

“You too could end up serving a prison sentence like that handed down to him.”