Two drug dealers have been locked up after being caught preparing heroin and crack cocaine.

Martin Bell, 22, and David Howell, 25, were caught by officers getting the Class A drugs ready for sale in the Medway Towns earlier this year.

Bell and Howell were found with 350 wraps of the drugs when they were arrested in Rochester in July.

Plain clothed officers had been on patrol when they visited the home of a known drug user in King Street.

Once inside the flat, the officers found the pair in a bedroom surrounded by heroin and crack cocaine.

Cling film, scales and blades were also seized as evidence of their intention to prepare and supply the drugs.

What was found was estimated to have a street value of £3,500 and in an investigation assisted by Kent Police’s Operation Raptor team, (formerly Operation Jupiter) cash totalling £580 was also seized.

After being taken into custody both men later tested positive for also using crack cocaine and heroin.

Howell, formerly of Mays Lane, Barnet, pleaded guilty to possessing both heroin and cocaine with intent to supply, as well possession of cannabis, when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

Bell, of no fixed address, also admitted possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply when he appeared at the same court and both men were jailed for three years and two months.

DI Kevin Downard said: “Operation Raptor is part of joint strategy between Kent Police and Essex Police designed to tackle emerging criminal gangs, whose members often travel from other areas of the country.

“This collaboration of resources will mean our response to deter criminals throughout the whole of Kent, often in connection with the sale and distribution of drugs, will be even more robust.”