A gang has been sentenced to a total of more than 24 years in prison after police seized half a kilo of 90% pure cocaine.

The group had planned to cut the class A drug, which would have been worth about £475,000, and then sell it on the Sussex streets.

Today gang leaders Darren Henwood, 37, a car salesman, of Park Road, Faygate, and Andrew Billings, 43, of Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club, Bracklesham Bay, were each jailed for six and a half years at Hove Crown Court.

The pair had both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine at a previous trial.

Charles Smith, 41, of Little Horsgate, Hanlye Lane, Cuckfield, had also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years.

Albery Mouhtiseb, 28, of Pamisford Road, South Croydon, was sentenced to seven years after pleading not guilty.

Sentencings for Barry Harlow, 65, of Arlington Crescent, EastPreston, West Sussex, who had pleaded guilty, and Mark Taylor, 36, of no fixed address, who had also pleaded guilty, were adjourned to dates yet to be set.

The gang was caught buying the huge quantity of drugs in the car park of Cottesmore Golf and Country Club, in Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, on April 1, 2011.

Shortly afterwards detectives went to a business unit at nearby White Herons Farm, Forest Road, Colgate and arrested Henwood, Billings and Smith there. Equipment for use in cutting and preparing cocaine for distribution was also discovered.

Detective Chief Inspector Ali Eaton said: "Henwood was the ringleader of this group, closely supported by Billings, with Harlow acting as a courier.

"Taylor had passed the drugs on to Mouhtiseb, who was also a key member, for onward sale to Henwood and no doubt for later distribution when cut on to the streets of Sussex.

"It was particularly satisfying for us to be able to dismantle an entire drugs distribution operation from initial couriers to the principal and his associates.

"Criminals like this need to know that we will relentlessly target them and bring them to justice, in the interests of all law abiding people and local communities."

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