Three men have been jailed for firearms offences after an investigation by Sussex Police.
One of the men has also been sentenced over drugs offences.
Ryan Carden, 28, of Shannon Close, Peacehaven, was sentenced to nine years in prison at Hove Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 21 November).
He had previously been convicted of aiding and abetting the transfer of a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition.
Carden was found not guilty of charges of conspiracy to supply heroin and amphetamine and of money laundering on Monday 11 November.
Five other people were convicted at earlier court hearings resulting from the same investigation.
Three have already been sentenced and two were sentenced with Ryan Carden on Thursday.
A cousin of Ryan Carden, Craig Carden, 26, of Sheerness, Kent, was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to having the same sawn-off shotgun.
Stephen Fox, 52, of Fletching Close, Whitehawk, was sentenced to a total of 12 years in jail.
Fox plead guilty to conspiracy to transfer a prohibited firearm – the same sawn-off shotgun – for which he was sentenced to five years.
He was sentenced for two years for conspiring to supply amphetamine and five years for having cocaine with intent to supply.
He also received two years for having amphetamine with intent to supply, one year for having cannabis with intent to supply and a further year for having benzilpiperazine (BZP) with intent to supply.
All three of these sentences will run concurrently with the sentence for the cocaine offence.
At a hearing at Hove Crown Court on Wednesday 18 December the prosecution will apply for Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) to be served on Ryan Carden and Stephen Fox.
Judge Anthony Niblett said that Ryan Carden had been in control of an organised crime group, with Fox as his quartermaster.
Detective Inspector Till Sanderson, of the Sussex Police Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Our investigation focused on an organised crime group in Sussex who were actively engaged in the supply of Class A and B drugs and led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs … with a street value in excess of £140,000 and more than £30,000 cash.
“We will continue to investigate those suspected of choosing to deal in drugs which afflict our communities and will do all we can to bring them to justice and seize their criminal profits.”
