A drug dealer who sold cocaine by the kilogram has been jailed.

Craig Richards, from Bexhill, was linked to high level buying and selling of the class A drug across East Sussex.

Officers carried out a warrant at a lockup and found evidence that he was selling the drugs by the kilogram in bulk orders.

Meanwhile police also seized thousands of pounds in cash notes from the 38-year-old's home in Bexhill.

The Argus: Craig Richards sold cocaine by the kiloCraig Richards sold cocaine by the kilo (Image: Sussex Police)

During the warrant at the lockup in Mountfield, near Battle, police also seized a firearm which had been converted to fire live ammunition, but this was not linked to Richards.

Officers from the tactical firearms unit stopped a van driven by Richards on the A27 near Offington Lane, Worthing, on February 25 this year.

At Lewes Crown Court on September 18, Richards admitted being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and possession of criminal property.

Richards, unemployed of Mount Idol View, Bexhill, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

The court heard how police attended the lockup in Mountfield on February 25 this year.

Inside a large box they found a large quantity of cocaine worth thousands of pounds.

Thousands of pounds in cash was found at an address linked to Richards in Bexhill.

Later that day his vehicle was identified on the A27 travelling west. He was detained and taken into custody.

Speaking after the case, Detective Superintendent Steve May said: “This was a significant discovery of class A drugs and a firearm.

"Richards was clearly a high profile figure in supplying class A drugs in Sussex, with evidence that he had handled substantial quantities of cocaine at the lock-up in Mountfield.

"Officers from teams across the force, including our tactical enforcement unit, tactical firearms unit, and criminal investigations department, worked hard to ensure we had strong evidence to bring the case to court and bring Richards to justice.

"It shows our determination to disrupt the supply of drugs which cause so much harm to our communities."