DRUG dealers, two of them from Malvern, have admitted their role in a conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Michael Miller, Bradley Rice and Bradley Hughes all admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine between November 2, 2017 and January 20, 2018 when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday.

Miller, aged 30, of Poplar Street, Smethwick, Rice, aged 24, of Wren Avenue, Malvern and Hughes, aged 20, of Clare Road, Malvern, had the sentencing hearing adjourned in a case which involves a number of linked conspiracies pertaining to multiple defendants.

Daniel White, prosecuting, said there was at least one other defendant yet to appear in relation to this particular part of the conspiracy.

He said the case involved a series of linked conspiracies involving 27 defendants in total with these three defendants appearing in connection with a drugs supply line dubbed 'the Miller line'.

The case is next scheduled to be listed on a date after September 5 and is expected to involve telephone evidence.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright said the case involved the supply of drugs to an undercover purchaser.

He asked Mr White if the case involved an overall 'chief executive' running branches of cross-county lines drug supplying that encompasses all 27 defendants or one operation targeting county lines.

Mr White said it was 'the latter' of the two scenarios.

Miller was remanded in custody until the next hearing. Hughes and Rice were granted bail on condition they keep out of Herefordshire.

Judge Cartwright told all three defendants: "You have pleaded guilty on the first occasion that the opportunity presented itself at crown court.

"You will receive the appropriate reduction in your sentence in due course on account of that."

He ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared by the probation service.