A drug dealer who attempted to supply heroin in Medway has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Daniel Mackenzie was arrested last year after significant quantities of Class A drugs were seized from a property in Chatham by Kent Police’s Operation Jupiter team.

Officers executed a search warrant at Mara Court on October 19, 2015, and found 25-year-old Mackenzie with the occupier of the address. A search of the premises uncovered 41 wraps, containing heroin and cocaine.

Police then searched Mackenzie’s London home in Sydenham Hill, Sydenham where they found further evidence linked to drug offences, including scales and a list of phone numbers. Forensic tests later linked Mackenzie’s DNA to the wraps found at Mara Court and he was charged and remanded into custody.

At Maidstone Crown Court Mackenzie pleaded guilty to possessing heroin with intent to supply. He also admitted a further charge of possessing cocaine, and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison last Thursday, April 7.

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.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Futers, commander of Kent Police’s North Division said: "We are now starting to see some really positive results in the courts following a lot of hard work by my officers. Going forward, Operation Jupiter will be used to continue to develop our intelligence into how these people operate and we will also continue to deal with them robustly.

"The message remains the same, if you come into our communities to sell drugs expect to be caught, expect to go to prison."