Dozens of men have been convicted of drug offences after supplying illegal drugs to the south coast.

A total of 42 men have been sentenced after a three-year investigation by Metropolitan Police to disrupt the supply of millions of pounds worth of drugs to Brighton.

The final 18 men involved were sentenced this week, receiving a combined total of more than 150 years in prison for their part in supplying drugs via 14 different supply lines.

Over the course of the investigation, the other 24 people convicted were jailed for more than 220 years for their part in the offences.

After seizing two phones in 2020, officers accessed extensive quantities of data and messages, leading to the identification of a dedicated drugs network.

Further investigation linked the network to 14 dedicated drugs lines, which were closed.

Officers also uncovered a sophisticated criminal network of men who worked together in shifts, under the guise of cab drivers, to supply around 37kg of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and cannabis.

Specialist officers worked alongside police from Hackney and Tower Hamlets to execute 49 search warrants, leading to 42 men being arrested, charged, and subsequently sentenced for drug supply offences.

Jewellery to the value of £54,000, along with £200,000 in cash and drugs with a street value of £83,000 were also seized.

Detective Superintendent Georgina Zumeris said: “This investigation demonstrates Metropolitan officers going above and beyond to make London safe by removing drug dealers from the communities of east London.

“This is community crime-fighting at its best, removing offenders who impact the lives of those around them.

“The supply of drugs has devastating consequences on communities across London and beyond - it causes addiction, having devastating health impacts, as well as leading to anti-social behaviour and violence.

“Diverting people away from criminality has also been our focus throughout this investigation. Four of the men arrested were found to be suffering from drug addiction and officers recognised this, ensuring they were safeguarded and supported after rehabilitation orders were put in place of custodial sentences.

“Through successes like this, we can continue to show how we are keeping our communities safe.”