TWO drug dealers who ran a county lines operation known as "Ben and Jerry" have been convicted.

Ryell Cummings and Courtney Leech were spotted by police officers carrying out a drug deal in a BMW in Little Preston Street, Brighton, in October 2019.

Leech, the driver of the car, was detained and searched in Kings Road by officers from Brighton’s community investigation team.

Officers uncovered 106 wraps of crack cocaine and 65 wraps of heroin, with a total street value of £1,700.

A mobile phone was also recovered from the vehicle and identified as being the "Ben and Jerry" county line, police said.

The Argus: Ryell Cummings, 28, of Pigott Street in London Ryell Cummings, 28, of Pigott Street in London

County lines is a term used by police to refer to drug networks from large urban areas who use children, young people and vulnerable adults to carry out illegal activity in other counties.

Leech was released on conditional bail, but in November 2019, officers stopped her once again in a vehicle in Dyke Road, with Cummings in the front seat.

The car was searched, and 300 wraps of crack cocaine and 169 wraps of heroin were found in a carrier bag hidden under the dashboard. The drugs had a total street value of £4,690.

The Argus: 300 wraps of crack cocaine and 169 wraps of heroin found in a carrier bag 300 wraps of crack cocaine and 169 wraps of heroin found in a carrier bag

Another mobile phone linked to the "Ben and Jerry" line was also found.

A wider investigation found Leech and Cummings played significant roles in managing and supervising the drug line, police said.

Both were charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possession of cannabis and pleaded guilty at Hove Crown Court.

Cummings, 28, of Pigott Street in London, was sentenced to five years in prison for both charges of possession with intent to supply, to run concurrently.

Leech, 24, of Lambert Road in London, will be sentenced on June 17.

Detective Inspector Dee Wells, from Brighton and Hove’s community investigation team, said: “The illegal drug trade has a significant impact on public safety in our city, not just through the spread of harmful substances but also as a result of the violence and exploitation that goes hand in hand with these crimes.

“We will continue to work round the clock to target those who supply drugs and spread harm in our communities, while working with our partners to tackle the underlying issues around the use of illegal substances.

“This was a long and complex investigation that has taken two dangerous offenders, and a large quantity of harmful substances, off the streets.”