Three men convicted of supplying heroin and crack cocaine last week were at the top of the drug dealing chain in Luton, police say.

Imran Anwar, 35, of Portland Road, Luton, had pleaded not guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possession of the two drugs with intent to supply, but was convicted at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday, October 22.

Ghulam Ghaus, 34, of Dunstable Road, Luton and Shamim Khan, 35, of Albion Court, Luton both pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous court appearance.

All three will re-appear at the court for sentencing next month.

The trial was the result of a month-long covert operation, codenamed Operation Kennet, led by the Bedfordshire Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit, which culminated in dawn raids on December 5 last year.

The homes of the defendants, together with a flat in Wesleydale, Luton, were searched during the raids. Officers seized a large amount of heroin, crack cocaine with a street value of approximately £300,000, and several thousands of pounds in cash.

Speaking after the trial, Det Chief Insp Juliette Beaumont, who led the operation, said: "It is clear that Anwar, Ghaus and Khan were at the top of the chain in terms of heroin and crack cocaine activities in Luton.