Drug dealers who flooded a seaside city with crack cocaine and exploited children to sell drugs have been convicted.

A two-year investigation by Sussex Police found a major drugs gang was bringing crack cocaine into Brighton from Essex during 2020.

The operation was controlled by five senior leaders in Essex - Thomas Warwick, 32, of Prospect Close, Southend, Gary Goodwin, 23, of Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, Jayden Henry-Flavien, 31 of Bellhouse Road, Southend, Liam Harvey, 25, of Hermitage Drive, Basildon, and Harley Roberts, 25 of Havalon Close, Basildon.

In addition, three more people were identified as being involved in the transportation of people and drugs.

They were Dean Warrington, 47, of Pamplins, Basildon, Cris Donovan, 31, of Bishops Hall Road, Brentwood, and Nicola McKenzie, 49, of Ingram Crescent West, Brighton, who allowed the group to use her property as a base of operations.

The investigation also revealed that the gang had recruited four children and transported them to Brighton to deal drugs.

The group have now been convicted of drug offences alongside modern slavery offences.

Detective Inspector Dee Wells, of Brighton and Hove’s Community Investigation Team, said: “These eight defendants thought they could pick up the drug line from its previous holders and sow a similar trail of destruction through our communities.

“Just like their predecessors, they have now been brought to justice.

“Not only were we able to protect the public from harm, four vulnerable children were safeguarded and given the opportunity to grow up away from a life of violence and crime.

“Eight convictions for modern slavery offences is extremely rare in this case and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring those involved in county lines face justice for the full extent of their crimes.

“This was a long, complex investigation that brought together a wide range of teams, our partners in the Met Police and Essex Police, and a variety of other community agencies. I would like to thank them for their support.

“I would also like to commend my colleagues in the CIT for their incredible work in achieving these convictions as we look ahead to sentencing.”

The gang are due to be sentenced at a court to be confirmed on August 31.