Police raided a Medway flat and discovered a drug-dealing den set up by a London gang, a court heard.

Liam Bussey allowed organisers to use his flat in Luton Road, Chatham, to stash heroin and crack cocaine to pay off a drug debt.

As officers arrived on the morning of May 6, another man, Andre Watson, threw some of the drugs out of a window.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said two plastic wraps were retrieved from the garden under the window.

Following arrest, Bussey, 34, admitted he had “stuff” on him. He said he owed money and his habit was getting worse. Watson, 20, had £541 in his pocket.

Miss Todd told Maidstone Crown Court that 55 wraps of crack cocaine and 41 of heroin seized were worth up to £1,860.

Daniel Benjamin, for Bussey, told Judge Julian Smith: “Courts in this county see time and again London drug gangs travelling to Kent and using the home address of local drug users as a base to deal drugs.

“In this particular instance, Mr Bussey was that local drug user. He completely relapsed into class A drugs. He found himself in debt to suppliers.”

Kate Chidgey, for Watson, said her client also found himself in debt and could not pay by legitimate means.

“He took the stupid decision to commit the offence,” she said. “He knows he has let a lot of people down.”

Bussey and Watson, of Eldon Road, Wood Green, north London, admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Watson was in breach of a 22 month suspended sentence imposed at Wood Green Crown Court for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and having a bladed article.

Bussey was sentenced to two years and eight months custody and Watson to three years imprisonment, plus nine months for breaching the suspended sentence.

Judge Smith said Bussey’s history was indicative of somebody with a long-standing addiction.

He told both men: “You understand the consequences of drugs is they blight lives. It is a personal tragedy for anybody to be involved in drugs and go back to them.”

Detective Constable Stuart Clayton said: "This is not the first time Watson has been convicted for dealing drugs. He and Bussey were working together to supply heroin and cocaine in Medway, substances which bring misery and violence to people's lives.

"This is another good result for Op Jupiter and these are significant sentences, which should serve as a warning to others that drug dealing does not pay."

Operation Jupiter is part of local strategy designed to tackle emerging criminal gangs, whose members often travel into the county from other areas.

The strategy includes taking robust action to deter criminals in areas including Medway, Swale, Gravesham and Dartford, often in connection with the sale and distribution of drugs.