A gang from Devon rented a holiday chalet in Westward Ho! to use as a drug supply base.

They were caught when police pulled over a car in Barnstaple and found wraps of cocaine and heroin hidden in the men's socks.

A search of the chalet revealed more drugs and equipment connected to their drug supply network.

One of the men, James Chamberlain, had just been released from prison for dealing crack and heroin. Within a few months he was back dealing drugs.

The 28-year-old defendant, who had been living in a homeless hostel, was jailed for four years by the judge at Exeter Crown Court.

James Chamberlain has been jailed for drug offences
James Chamberlain has been jailed for drug offences

Another man, Archie Godfrey, 22, was jailed for two and a half years, while a third, Robbie Smith, 23, walked free with a community order. His role was to act as a driver for the gang and rent the chalet.

The men all admitted possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

The court was told police arrested the men on April 16. Godfrey had 33 wraps of heroin and cocaine in his socks and Chamberlain 17. More wraps were found int he glovebox.

Detectives discovered Smith had rented a holiday chalet for the gang the day before. Police searched it and found another 65 wraps together with £900 cash. In total the drugs had a street value of £4,000.

Archie Godfrey has been jailed for drug dealing
Archie Godfrey has been jailed for drug dealing

Chamberlain has previous convictions for robbery and burglary. He was released from a 32 months stretch in jail in October and went to live in a hostel. But in March they told him he had been there too long and he was back on the street.

He said he foolishly agreed to an offer to deal drugs in North Devon because he had no other prospects.

Smith said he agreed to be the driver for the gang to pay off drug debts. His heroin use had spiralled out of control. His family had run a plant nursery business but that had closed and he was short of money.

Godfrey was a factory worker who smoked cannabis. He had a difficult upbringing and had made the wrong decision to get involved in drug dealing.

Video Loading

Judge Peter Johnson said all three men knew about the evils of class A dealing but had chosen to take part for money. He said Chamberlain had the lead role and Smith was a good candidate for a drug rehabilitation order.

Smith was given a two-year community order with a 12 month drug order and 20 days rehabilitation with probation.