Two county line dealers have been jailed for selling Class A drugs in the county.

Officers searched the London home of Reece Mathurin on March 9 as part of their investigation into the supply of cocaine in Chatham.

Investigators from the forces's county lines and gangs team identified he held the phone used by the 'Dutch Line' to send marketing texts to drug users in Medway.

As they entered the property on March 9, the suspect ran upstairs but was detained with six wraps of cocaine in his pocket.

A further search found 50 crack cocaine deals in the premises along with around £2,000 in cash, the phone that co-ordinated the drug supply network and some cannabis.

The 24-year-old was arrested and, at around the same time, another search was carried out at an address used by the criminal network in Ordnance Street, Chatham.

Aaron Bafi ran from the second address as the constables entered, discarding a large knife as he fled. He was arrested nearby in possession of two mobile phones and more than £900 in cash.

Both phones were later shown to be connected to drug supply by the 'Dutch Line' and a search of the house resulted in the seizure of a tin containing cocaine and heroin deals.

Mathurin, of Maysoule Road, Battersea was later charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possessing heroin with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of heroin, possessing criminal property (namely the seized cash) and possessing cannabis.

Bafi, of The Chase, Clapham was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin, possessing a knife in a public place and possessing criminal property.

Both men pleaded guilty and, at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday, Mathurin was sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Bafi, 20, was jailed for three years and four months.

Investigating officer, detective constable John Carless, said: "These criminals exploit vulnerable people in Kent and base themselves in their properties to supply Class A drugs.

"They think this gives them an opportunity to remain anonymous but our investigators are relentless in tracking down these offenders.

"It is only a matter of time before they are identified after which they can expect enforcement at an early stage and a well-deserved prison sentence."