Two Medway drug dealers have been jailed for a total of 13-years after a prolonged investigation into their lucrative cocaine distribution network.
Frank Harris, 33, was first arrested in Gillingham in December 2023 following the seizure of cash and a dedicated drug line phone. Despite his arrest, Harris reactivated the operation while awaiting trial, employing sophisticated tactics and recruiting 50-year-old Andrew Hamilton as a high-level runner.
Hamilton was caught by police during a Chatham drug deal in January 2025, where he was found with over £2,800 worth of cocaine. While on bail for those offences, he was arrested again in April 2025 during a raid on his Hoo home, where officers recovered more drugs, ammunition, and pepper spray. This led investigators back to Harris’s Rainham residence, where they discovered packaging for kilogram-sized cocaine blocks and £25,000 in cash.
The case concluded at Maidstone Crown Court on February 13, 2026 where 33 year old Harris pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and possessing criminal property. He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and will be subject to a five year Serious Crime Prevention Order on his release. Hamilton, 50, from Hoo, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Rob Hemsley said:
‘Frank Harris arrogantly set up a second drug line whilst still under investigation and employed sophisticated tactics to try to avoid police detection.
‘He recruited Andrew Hamilton and built a profitable drug network which they both benefitted from financially. Despite all their efforts to avoid detection, our investigation was able to track both the drugs and cash back to the two men. As a force, we will relentlessly pursue those who supply drugs in Kent and bring them to justice.’