A group of drug dealers have been jailed for more than 28 years.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, the ten men were handed custodial sentences and five year Criminal Behaviour Orders for drug offences in the Stratford area.

Local businesses and community members first alerted the police to the wide-spread drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and intimidation in the area.

Police then set up an operation to catch the offenders.

In an evening drugs bust on Wednesday, July 5, officers caught up with the ten men and arrested them for supplying Class A and B drugs.

A four-month investigation called Operation Duntroon was conducted by Newham CID and the local neighbourhood policing team.

A significant amount of evidence was secured against the following defendants, who have now been jailed.

Evanildo Gomes, 26 of St. Andrews House, Barking was sentenced to three years and 10 months' in prison.

Tito Cassule, 19, homeless, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison.

Joelson Miguel Balde, 21, homeless, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison.

Jose Mario Sa, 23, of Horsebridge Close, Dagenham was sentenced to three years and five months in prison.

Janilson Viera 26, of Cowbridge Lane, Barking, was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years, and 150 hours of community service.

Claude Greenaway, 24, of Plaistow Road, Stratford was sentenced to three years and two months in prison.

Terrel Paul, 24, of Marriott Road, Stratford, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

Bruno Da Silva, 23, homeless, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison and a Criminal Behaviour Order for five years.

Benedict Larbi, 21, of Flint Close, Stratford, was sentenced to four years in prison.

Lastly, Rui Santos, 22, of First Avenue, Dagenham was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years and 150 hours community work.

Chief Superintendent Ade Adelekan said: "This has been a very successful operation, which has seen a large number of people arrested for being involved in the supply of Class A and B drugs.

"We want to reassure the business and the community that dealing drugs in Newham will not be tolerated. Drug dealers are harmful to our communities and take advantage of vulnerable people.

"Our operations against this criminality will be tireless and unwavering until we have dismantled this criminal group and reduced crime within the Stratford and New Town ward."