A drug dealer involved in a national cocaine syndicate has been jailed after a "Taser-like" device and a haul of cash was uncovered during a house raid.

Lewis Taylor of Regent Street, Whitstable, was described by a judge as being "in the upper echelon of a significant role" supplying drugs on a large scale, mainly in parts of east Kent.

But the 33-year-old's supply chain stretched to other parts of the country and was later uncovered during an unrelated investigation into assault allegations.

It led to him being tracked by police to an address near Crowhurst Lane, West Kingsdown on December 18

A search of the property led to the seizure of 23 grams of cocaine, quantities of cutting agents and more than £7,500 in cash. A Taser-like device was also discovered in a wardrobe.

Taylor was arrested and an examination of his phone records revealed he was supplying drugs on a significant scale.

Evidence also indicated Taylor had been organising the purchase of £185,000 of cocaine from a contact in northern England.

He pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and with possessing a prohibited weapon at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard Taylor had previous convictions related to the supply of Class A drugs and on May 27, he was sentenced to four years and ten months’ imprisonment.

He will now also be subject to a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act, to claw back any criminal gains resulting from his offending.

Detective Constable James Coomber said: "The search of the address where Taylor was located provided us with a wealth of evidence which proved beyond any doubt his role in dealing drugs on a substantial scale.

"The fact we also uncovered a dangerous weapon in the property clearly showed Taylor posed a significant threat to public safety and this is reflected in the sentence passed by the courts."