by Annette Wilson

Five drug dealers who supplied class A drugs in Thanet have been jailed for a total of 26 years.

The five were rounded up after a police test purchase operation using undercover officers posing as users last year.

One of the dealers was said to be making up to £8,000 a week from drug sales.

All appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court having admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Prosecutor Ian Foinette, said the officers bought drugs in the St Paul's church area of Cliftonville and deals were also being done at a flat in Gordon Road which was occupied by Shivan Stewart.

She had introduced the officers to Michael Thomas, also known as 'Slips' or 'Essex'.

It was Thomas who later told officers he made £3,000 to £8,000 a week selling drugs with a turnover of £200,000 in nine months. He was said to be near the top of the conspiracy and used others to carry out deals on his behalf.

One of the group - 32 year old Grant Davis from Northdown Road in Margate - shattered his heal by jumping out of a 40ft window at the magistrates court.

He was on crutches as he was sentenced along with a woman from Margate - and two men from Cliftonville.

Jailing the five, Judge Adele Williams said the operation had been set up to detect what proved to be the widespread supply of Class A drugs in Thanet. Overall a total of 90 cases are due to be heard at Canterbury Crown Court.

"This conspiracy involves the supply on numerous occasions of both heroin and crack cocaine and it was well organised and prolonged. It must be made clear that such offending will be met by deterrent sentences," said Judge Williams.