A county lines drug network in Maidstone - using James Bond's 007 code - was brought to its knees by undercover agents on Her Majesty's Police Service.

Now three members of the line - known as Bennys - have received custodial sentences for their part in supplying cocaine and heroin to the town.

A judge at Maidstone Crown Court heard the gang used a telephone number which ended in 007 to contact users in October last year.

Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson said: "This case involves a county lines operation to supply cocaine and heroin into Maidstone and West Kent, and subsequently to Brighton, known as the ‘Benny’ network.

"The network utilised two dedicated telephone numbers to advertise the sale of cocaine and heroin to potential drug users, as well as to direct runners. One of those was a telephone number 007."

Ben Roberts, 39, Dale Percy, 34, and a 17-year-old all admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

The 17-year-old received a 31 month detention order; Roberts, of Nursery Road, Ditton was jailed for 37 months and Percy, of no fixed address, received a three year jail sentence.

Mr Stevenson said: "The call data for the 007 number shows that it was in contact with the telephone numbers for known crack cocaine and heroin users in the Maidstone area, including Roberts.

"That number sent out block marketing text messages to the telephone numbers of known drug users. The drug users would then call or text 007 and place orders. The drugs line would direct runners to make supplies of drugs on the street."

He added: "It is likely that the 17-year-old also made supplies from vehicles hired and driven by others on his behalf."

Mr Stevenson said that on October 14 last year a top-up voucher was bought for the 007 phone at the Green lane Mini Market, in Green Lane, Chislehurst.

He said that police made a visit to a woman's home in Barming fearing it was being used for cuckooing by the gang - which then stopped using 007 and moved operations to Brighton.

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