clockwise from top left: matthew newin, samuel king, craig provan and joseph king

by Paul Hooper

A ruthless and cunning drugs lord was today jailed for 18 years after plotting to flood West Kent with illegal drugs.

Joseph King, 48, ran the operation from a traveller's site in West Malling, near Maidstone, with hidden shotguns and ammunition at hand.

More than 100 police officers raided the camp in October last year after cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and amphetamines were offered by his gang.

Judge Adele Williams told him that he was "a merchant of misery" for the "potentially devastating consequences for those drawn into the pernicious spiral of addiction".

Three other gang members was jailed for a total 21 and a half years at Canterbury Crown Court following a seven week trial.

King, of Lavender Road, West Malling, had been convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and ecstasy, possessing amphetamine with intent to supply and criminal property and three charges of possessing firearms with intent to endanger life.

His brother Samuel, 47, of Elm Grove, Sittingbourne, who admitted two supply charges, was jailed for seven and a half years.

The gang's street dealer, Matthew Newin, 26, of Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, went to prison for eight years after admitting three conspiracy charges and encouraging the supply of one kilo of cannabis.

The "hired muscle", ex-bouncer Craig Provan, 41, of The Paddock, Highsted Valley, Rodmersham, was jailed for six years. He had been convicted of supplying Class A drugs and admitted encouraging the supply of cannabis.

Det Insp Edward Fox, the officer in charge of the investigation, who was commended by the judge, said: "We are pleased that someone who gladly sits back and watches others do the deals for him, causing misery and heartache all for his own profit, has been put away for a long time."

The court heard that last summer and winter, undercover officers infiltrated Kings' gang, doing 12 deals for Class A drugs.

By October, the trail led back to King's traveller's site at Hoath Wood near West Malling, where drugs and guns and money were found hidden.

The judge said King – who ran the site – had been the main organiser of the gang, which supplied drugs in the Sittingbourne and Canterbury areas.

She told him: "You are a ruthless and cunning individual without remorse."

She praised Det Insp Fox's team for the investigation and the three undercover police officers – who gave evidence at the trial in secret – for their "courage and professionalism".