A gang who sold drugs including crack cocaine and heroin on the streets of Croydon has been jailed at Croydon Crown Court.

The men were caught by undercover police officers who posed as customers to buy narcotics.

Kenneth Perkins, 43, of Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, was described by the prosecution as the most prolific of the gang and was sentenced to six years behind bars after admitting 10 charges of supplying drugs.

In an interview Perkins claimed he was dealing simply as a means to fund his own addiction but Judge Simon Pratt refused to accept this.

He told him: "You are, I am quite sure, a commercial dealer who used class A drugs as well. Your record goes to support that. You have supplied class A drugs on two occasions."

Second in command of the gang was Rodney Wright, of Cliffe Elms House, Brixton. He admitted five charges of supply, not only in Croydon but also Streatham, Mitcham and Wimbledon.

Wright was said to have what Judge Pratt described as a "significant amount" of cocaine almost three and a half grammes. He was jailed for five years and four months.

Gerville Williamson, 20, of Stroud Green Gardens, Addiscombe, who is also known as Ratty, pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying crack and heroin and was jailed for five and a quarter years.

The court was told Williamson removed drugs from his mouth and gave them to undercover police officers before collecting his money.

Judge Pratt told Williamson that it was clear that he too had been acting on a commercial basis: "Your course of conduct lasted from November last year to January. You have a bad record for someone of your age."

Daniel Solomon, from Whitechapel and Dennis Taylor, from Brockley, were also jailed for their part in the drugs operation.

A deportation order has been served on a 42 year-old Jamaican national who came to this country on a six-month visa.

Kevin Shirley, 25, of Lansdowne Road, Croydon, who was described during the trial last week as "a relatively active street dealer," was arrested after he had done five deals with police and was sentenced to four and a half years.

Kerry Robinson, 27, also of Lansdowne Road, nicknamed Omar, faced seven charges of supplying and owned up to all of them. He was jailed for five years.

Derek MacLean will go on trial on July 3 accused of supplying cocaine. He is denying the allegation and will remain in custody.