A gang of drug dealers have been jailed after a series of police raids uncovered cocaine, heroin and crack worth £65,000.

They were sentenced to a total of 15 and a half years at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday.

A total of 17 raids were carried at addresses in Margate in November after a police operation lasting several months with officers seizing the class A drugs.

Barry Mehmet, 31, of Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Margate was convicted of three charges of supplying cocaine and sentenced to 18 months.

Derek Vizzard, 42, of Coronation Close in Broadstairs, was convicted of one charge of supplying cocaine, and one charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and sentenced to 18 months.

Josef Horvath, 18, of no fixed address, was convicted of two charges of supplying heroin and one charge of supplying cocaine and sentenced to 24 months.

Jamie Fletcher, 28, of no fixed address, was convicted of six charges in total: one charge of supplying cocaine; one charge of offering to supply cannabis; two charges of offering to supply heroin; and two charges of offering to supply cocaine. He was sentenced to two and half years.

Ipaon Mosengo, 25, from Brixton, Harmani Gayle, 18, of Norbury in South London and a 17-year-old boy from West London, were also convicted of supplying cocaine and heroin.

Three other Margate residents, a 47-year-old woman, a 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, were dealt with for drugs offences at previous hearings.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nathan Scamp of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: “Today’s convictions are the result of many months of hard work from officers and the resulting sentences will have a positive impact on the area.

“In court, the judge spoke of how the offenders’ actions had caused a thriving community to become blighted by drugs and crime. But he also praised Kent Police for seeking to proactively tackle the issue.”

Chief Inspector Simon Thompson, District Commander for Thanet, said: “The arrest, charge and sentencing of these offenders will disrupt the trafficking and supply of Class A drugs, not just in Cliftonville but a much wider area beyond.

“I hope this sends out a clear message to anyone considering bringing drugs to Thanet - you are not welcome here and we will take action to remove drugs and their suppliers from our streets.”