A drug dealer has been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for his part in a cocaine gang.

Kevin Sheeran, 36, of Roffey Close, Horley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine between August 2005 and February 2006.

He was joined at Guildford Crown Court by Michael Corder, 38, from Horsham, previously of St Anne's Way, Redhill, who also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, one count of having cocaine, and two counts of having an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment.

Two other men, 46-year-old Nicholas Willison, from Dorking, and 68-year-old John Clark, from Orpington, Kent, were also jailed for 13 and seven years respectively for similar offences.

Ringleader Sheeran organised the gang, using Corder to collect drugs from Clark at a golf club car park in Orpington. The drugs were taken to Willison's home where they were prepared and distributed.

The four men were arrested in February following a lengthy surveillance operation. Around 2.3kg of cocaine with a street value of £180,000 was seized along with a hydraulic press, mixing equipment, scales and an arsenal of weapons including a sawn-off, pump-action shotgun, four handguns, a stun gun, CS gas, a large quantity of ammunition and two silencers.

The investigation by Surrey Police cost an estimated £500,000 and has lasted four years.

Det Supt Gavin Stephens said: "Not only were they illegally supplying cocaine, they were clearly prepared to engage in violence to pursue their criminal activity. This is clearly shown by the range of weapons recovered - five firearms is the largest number recovered in Surrey from one drugs ring.

"We worked closely with Sussex Police and all officers are to be congratulated on the painstaking work required to obtain detailed evidence. This, together with the excellent work from the prosecution team, ensured guilty pleas despite largely no comment' interviews from the defendants on arrest."

Mr Stephens added: "This case highlights how we listen to our communities and I hope it will encourage people to report their concerns to us in the future. People of East Surrey should feel safer without these four criminals, some of whom were very well known in the local community, free to pursue their illegal activities.

"This type of investigation can be protracted and requires considerable investment. It is unfortunate that the current Home Office funding arrangements are completely inappropriate for Surrey Police and do not in any way reflect the threat our communities face from organised crime groups.

"Despite this financial position I am determined to tackle head-on criminals who pose the most harm to our communities, as these defendants found to their cost."

Chief Supt Guy Darby said: "This sends an important message to the criminals of East Surrey - if you commit serious crime, expect a serious response.

"This investigation has used a wide range of resources and goes to show we will pull out all the stops to keep crime low. This is a stark warning to criminals, proving we will always prosecute for the supply of illegal class A drugs and we will take action to seize the profits from organised crime."

Surrey Police want to gauge public opinion about the imprisonment of these criminals and have set up a system for people to respond to the question: Do you think this police operation has reduced the harm caused by organised crime in your neighbourhood?

To vote YES call 0800 063 0711 or text YES to 86633 To vote NO call 0800 063 0712 or text NO to 86633.

Calls are free and texts are charged at the standard network text rates. Alternatively you can reply or make a comment online at www.surrey.police.uk/cid