Two Dartford drug barons who believed they were “untouchable” have had their appeals rejected. 

In 2022, brothers Jamie and Cavan Hanna were jailed for 25 years each for running a multi-million-pound drugs empire alongside men from Crayford, Bexleyheath and Welling. 

The brothers used encrypted mobiles to organise the transportation of £3.5 million worth of cocaine across the country. 

They were also involved in the transfer of more than £1 million in cash. 

During their trial at Woolwich Crown Court both brothers were said to have sacked their defence lawyers and failed to attend the trial. 

The brothers have since sought to appeal against their convictions and sentences. 

Cavan argued gross negligence on behalf of his lawyers had resulted in important evidence being missed. 

Jamie argued that he did not dismiss his lawyers at all, instead they withdrew after a disagreement and this left him unfairly unrepresented for trial. 

On Monday (November 4) appeal judges refused their applications saying they were satisfied both convictions were safe. 

Their co-defendants in the 2022 trial were Daniel Dalligan, of Crayford, who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, Anthony Dominy, of Bexleyheath, who was sentenced to 11 and a half years imprisonment and Thomas Mercer, of Welling, who was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment. 

After they were sentenced Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Masterson, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: “This case is testimony to the hard work and persistence shown by the officers in my team. 

“The Hanna brothers believed that their use of encrypted devices made them untouchable, but with significant resources and a brilliant team, we were able to curtail their criminal activity and bring them to justice. 

"We will stop at nothing to dismantle organised crime groups such as the one run by the Hanna brothers. 

“The direct link between drug dealing and violence is clear and the consequences bring absolute devastation to communities across London. 

“The Met is totally committed to tackling violence and taking controlled substances off the streets of our city.”