A man has been jailed for 10 years for a catalogue of drugs and firearms offences.

Joseph Benjamin Ryan, 21, of Canberra Road, Bexleyheath, was sentenced Maidstone Crown court on Thursday after pleading guilty to a string of charges.

He was first arrested in 2007 after his vehicle was searched and he was found with a large amount of herbal cannabis and cocaine.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit carried out further investigation to establish the extent of Ryan's criminality, and uncovered a ‘treasure trove’ of illegal substances at a flat linked to him in Thamesmead.

Eight bags of herbal cannabis and three kilos of cocaine was recovered from the property, as well as a combination safe that contained a loaded revolver, a loaded semi-automatic Glock handgun, 136 rounds of ammunition and five cans of CS spray.

The safe also contained two plastic containers of ecstasy tablets.

Ryan's home in Bexleyheath was also searched and officers found a further amount of herbal cannabis along with over a substantial amount of cash.

The total amount of drugs seized was four and half kilos of cocaine, 15 kilos of skunk cannabis and 76 ecstasy tablets, all with an estimated street value of around £769,929. Forensic officers discovered that some of the cocaine seized was of 95% purity.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Tom Richards said: “This thorough investigation by officers from Kent Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit has not only resulted in the removal of a large quantity of drugs from Kent's streets, but also removed a dangerous man from our community.

“Guns, drug use and supply have a destructive impact on everyone. This sentence sends a clear message to anyone involved in this type of criminality.”

Ryan pleaded guilty to possession of 4.5 kilos cocaine with intent to supply, possession of 76 ecstasy tablets with intent to supply, possession of 15 kilos of skunk cannabis with intent to supply, possession of 5 canisters CS spray, possession of a 9mm Glock self loading pistol and ammunition and possession of a .356 magnum hand gun and ammunition.

Commenting on the sentencing, presiding Judge Carey said that Ryan knowingly became an integral part of the chain of supply of controlled drugs which leads to the destruction of the lives of the user and their families.