Three men have been put behind bars for their roles in supplying Class A drugs in Brighton and Hove following a three-month police operation.

Steven Wilson, 31, and Thomas Jennings, 25, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply controlled substances.

Wilson was sentenced to five years in jail, Jennings to four years at Hove Crown Court yesterday.

Paul Hoolicken, 34, was ordered to attend a residential rehabilitation centre in Hampshire for 18 months after pleading guilty to one charge of supplying a controlled drug.

The three were the last to be convicted following Operation Illinois, which led to a number of raids and arrests across the city last April. After sentencing them, Judge Anthony Niblett gave a Crown Court Commendation to the police team who brought them to justice.

Det Insp Paul Furnell, who headed up Operation Illinois, said: "In my opinion, street drug dealing not only affects people's quality of life but it also fuels acquisitive crime.

"Drug users turn to crime, such as burglary or vehicle crime, to feed their addictions.

"Our continued work in combating street drug dealing has reduced acquisitive crime and improved the quality of life."

The arrests followed a three-month intelligence gathering and investigative effort aimed at slashing the amount of drug dealing in Brighton and Hove.

Drugs recovered during Operation Illinois included 8,417 grams of crack cocaine, 5,891 grams of heroin, 390 grams of cocaine, 226 grams of amphetamine, 378 grams of cannabis and 28 Ecstasy tablets.

More than 100 officers and police staff, based in local divisions and from specialist units, as well as teams such as the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, were involved in the swoop.

Police said their tactics were to focus on particular areas that were of concern not only to officers but also members of the public. A total of 19 people were arrested for drug offences including possession, supplying and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

A further 15 people were arrested following drug warrants.

Central Brighton's Chief Insp Steve Barry said: "A large amount of police time is taken up dealing with the crimes committed by drug users."

Det Insp Furnell said: "We would like to remind anyone who has information about drug-dealing to call police on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."