Two drug dealers have been locked up after they were arrested in a part of Medway a judge described as a “honey pot” for such offending.

Keir Nicholson and Darius Malcolm were spotted acting suspiciously in Hopewell Drive, Chatham, on August 23 last year by plain clothes police officers.

They were taken to Medway police station and subjected to a strip search, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Malcolm, 24, was asked to squat and a package could be seen between his buttocks. He refused to remove it. When his underwear was picked up, a small lock knife was found.

The package later fell on the floor in his cell. It contained 13 wraps of crack cocaine. His mobile phone had texts relating to drug dealing.

Nicholson, 20, was reluctant to be searched but a clear plastic bag could be seen between his buttocks. When later retrieved it was found to contain eight wraps of heroin.

Nicholson, from London, and Malcolm, of no fixed address, admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply. Malcolm also admitted possessing a bladed article. They appeared for sentence on Wednesday by video link with Thameside Prison in south east London.

Malcolm was jailed for two years and 10 months and Nicholson was sentenced to 16 months youth custody, made consecutive to another 16-month sentence he was serving for affray and having an offensive weapon.

Judge Jeremy Carey said Malcolm’s offending was aggravated by having a knife concealed on him.

“That was not an accident, it was deliberate,” he continued. “It was consistent with someone dealing on the streets.”

The judge said their situation was a “depressingly familiar” one.

“The offending occurred in Chatham - a place well-known for there being a section of the public who use drugs and, therefore, something of a honey pot for those who wish to deal,” he told them.

“Only when confronted with reality did you accept it.”

Speaking after sentencing, DC Melanie Winter, the investigating officer, said: “These two men were actively involved in the illegal sale of drugs and I welcome the sentence they have received.

‘People who supply illegal drugs prey on the vulnerable and are a significant blight on our communities.”