Eight drug dealers including a pensioner have been jailed for a total of more than 30 years.

The gang was involved in the commercial supply of heroin and crack cocaine in the Medway Towns.

.Maidstone Crown Court heard class A drugs were distributed by a number of runners, themselves often drug-users who were then recruited into the supply network

The conspirators were arrested following a police surveillance operation in Strood earlier this year.

Seven of the defendants admitted two charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs in Medway between May 2009 and March 2010.

Ashley Morris, 21, of Humber Crescent, Strood was jailed for six years and six months; Michael Spreadbury, 20, of no fixed address, for four years and six months; Billy Jo Barnes,28, of Cedar Road, Strood, for four years and six months; Lee Swift, 32, of Hancock Close, Strood, for four years; Lisa Harper, 35, of Hancock Close, Strood, for three years and three months; Denise Smith, 57, of London Road, Strood, for three years; Christopher Hawkins, 65, of Hughes Drive, Wainscott, for 21 months.

Kirsty Powell, 21, of Aspen Green, Erith, pleaded guilty to one offence of supplying crack cocaine . monthsthreeyears and for three and was jailed

A 17-year-oldboyfromLondon pleaded guilty to the possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and was handed an 18-month youth offending order and six-month supervision order.

PCThis latest conviction is another great result in our fight against organised groups selling drugs in Medway." said: , of Medway Police, Jason Friend

"We are more effective now than we have ever been in tackling drug crime in Medway and these sentences should send out a clear warning to others involved in this trade that it will not be tolerated."

01634 792515.Phone suspect people of being involved in class A drugs. people to call if they set up a dedicated number for s drugs team haPoliceThe Medway