A county lines drug dealer who exploited two vulnerable Towns' teenagers has been jailed for nine and a half years.

Daniel Garcia was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday after admitting being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and possession of cannabis.

He also admitted three counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

The 23-year-old was arrested on May 5 last year following a six-month investigating prompted when patrolling officers saw a drug exchange take place in Fort Pitt Street, Chatham.

A nearby property was searched and 80 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine found.

Officers also found two mobile phones which lots of calls and messages to a specific number which police believed was linked to a county line drugs network.

A joint investigation between Kent Police and the Met identified Garcia, of Morton Gardens, Wallington, was responsible for running the ‘Tyler’ drugs line.

This saw class A drugs being ferried out of London and into Chatham between November 2019 and May 5, 2020.

Between March and April last year, Garcia trafficked two boys aged 14 and 15 into Medway, where they were made to sell crack cocaine and heroin.

The would often be missing for days without their families knowing where they were.

In addition to his jail term, a 10-year slavery, trafficking and prevention order was issued.

The money recovered as part of the drugs network will also be subject to a future proceeds of crime hearing.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Mark Donovan said: "Garcia was a calculated drug dealer who used his status among his drug community to control those around him.

"He specifically recruited two vulnerable children to act as drug runners for him, knowing they would feel scared and trapped and unable to escape the situation.

"No child should be at risk of this kind of lifestyle and we continually work to tackle drug networks in order to disrupt and dismantle them.

"Anyone who finds themselves in a similar position can have confidence that if they contact us we will support you and help you find a way out.

"Garcia’s sentence is a reflection of his offending and criminality, and I hope it acts as a deterrent to others. Ultimately this lifestyle does not pay and you will face the consequences of your crimes."

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