Two convicted drugs dealers have been ordered to pay back £170,000 or face moe time behind bars.

Robert Shearmur, of Lower Halstow, near Sittingbourne, and Harry Darke, of Burtons Lane, Tonbridge, were sentenced in October 2022 for supplying wholesale cocaine and ketamine to dealers.

Following their sentence, the police made applications to Maidstone Crown Court for a confiscation order relating to both men.

A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation, which enables police to claw back money and assets gained from organised crime, discovered the pair had benefitted from their criminal conduct by more than £2 million.

Examinations of their messages between March 26 and June 6, 2020, revealed they suggested using their illegal gains in property development.

On April 26, it was determined that Shearmur, 36, had benefitted from his criminal conduct by £1,159,240.

His current available assets amounted to £109,645, which included equity in his home and a crypto currency balance.

Meanwhile, on May 15, it was found that Darke, 29, had benefited by £1,162,704.

His current available assets were given at £59,991 and these were also in the form of property and crypto funds.

Shearmur, who was jailed for 13-and-a-half years, and Darke, who received 12 years, have now been given three months to pay or face more time behind bars.

Detective Inspector Dave Godfrey, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “The supply of drugs can have devastating consequences within our communities, and it is therefore pleasing that the courts have been able to seize back significant sums of money accrued by these offenders.

“The Proceeds of Crime Act continues to be a vital tool in tackling organised crime, as it enables us to prevent criminals from continuing to reap the benefits of their illegal activities even after they have been arrested, charged and jailed.

“Some of the money recovered at court will now be put back into our communities to help improve the service we give to the people of Kent.”