Four men are starting a total of 17 years in prison for their part in a multi-million pound drugs supply ring in Kent.

Police found cash, mobile phones and drugs with a street value of up to four million pounds when they searched a garage in Dartford.

Scott Baker, 24, and 51-year-old Graham Roberts were arrested at the scene in November last year.

Phone records later revealed two other men – Daniel Ervin, 34, and 33-year-old William Mills – were also involved in the operation.

All four pleaded guilty and have now been given sentences ranging from three to six years at Maidstone Crown Court.

Mills, of Oakdene Avenue, Chislehurst, was jailed for six years; Baker, of Betsham Road, Erith, and Ervin, from Southwark, London, for four years; and Roberts, of Crown Quay Lane, The Quays, Sittingbourne, to three years and eight months.

All admitted three offences of conspiracy to supply 48.4 kilos of amphetamine, 20.98 kilos of cannabis resin and 973 grams of strong skunk cannabis.

The purity of the drugs ranged between 40 and 90%. The court heard Roberts hired a car in Sittingbourne on November 24 last year and went to Willesborough, Ashford.

He then drove in convoy with other vehicles to a car park at William Harvey Hospital in the town.

They moved to another location and three boxes were loaded into a car. Cars then drove to Dartford and Baker put the boxes in a lock-up garage off Bayly Road.

Police moved in and arrests were made.

A search of vehicles and the surrounding area uncovered a holdall containing a large bag of herbal cannabis.

Officers then seized a mobile phone and £250 from Roberts and £210 in cash and two mobile phones from Baker.

An extensive search of the garage area found bags of white powder – later confirmed as amphetamine sulphate – and more cannabis at the premises.

Judge Charles Macdonald said messages sent by Baker had “a commanding flavour". Mills had a leading role in two of the offences and the rest were playing significant roles.

"All were aware of the nature of the operation," added the judge. "It was financially motivated."

DS Andy Nicoll said: "This was a significant find and undoubtedly had a disruptive impact on the drugs supply network in the area and we have been successful in taking a large amount of illegal drugs off the street."