A crack cocaine drug dealer has been jailed after police discovered a large knife and a phone number being used to sell the Class A drugs.

Ashley Morris, of Stoke Road, Allhallows, was sentenced to seven years in prison following a week-long trial at Winchester Crown Court.

He had denied charges of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin but was found guilty by a jury.

Morris was convicted following a lengthy investigation by police.

In November 2022, officers became aware of a mobile phone number being used to sell crack cocaine and heroin across the Medway towns.

Morris, 35, was identified as being in control of the “Danny” line, and on Wednesday, March 2, last year officers executed a drugs warrant at an address in Stirling Close, Rochester.

Morris wasn’t at the address but police did find £5,000 in cash, a large knife and a mobile phone which was believed to be linked to the drug dealing.

Duane Stevenson, 24, of Imperial Road, Gillingham, was arrested inside the property and charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, acquiring criminal property and possession of cannabis.

He admitted the charges and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on November 16, last year, and was handed a 20-month jail term which was suspended for two years.

As part of the investigation officers stopped a vehicle on March 17 last year in Cuxton Road, Strood.

Inside the vehicle was George Bradley who was arrested. Officers also found the mobile phone linked to the drugs line.

Bradley, 30, was charged with one count of being concerned in the supply of heroin, one count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

He admitted the charges and in April last year was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court where he was jailed for two years and six months.

Officers continued to try to locate Morris who was evading police, and on Tuesday, September 5 last year he was arrested at a property in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Michael Nolan said: “Morris was responsible for running the ‘Danny’ line which supplied class A drugs to vulnerable people within the Medway towns.

“He recruited people into the network in order to distance himself from the criminality, but we were able to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that he faced the consequences of being involved.

“The team continues to work hard to disrupt and dismantle any drug lines and we are always alert to new lines when they start offering class A drugs for sale, with it only being a matter of time before we identify who is behind the number.

“We will then ensure they are apprehended and swiftly brought to justice.”