Three drug dealers who supplied heroin and crack cocaine were caught in an undercover police sting.
All three unwittingly arranged deals or sold the class A drugs to detectives posing as addicts.
The investigation – Operation Saffron – clamped down on drug crime in the city, Leicester Crown Court was told.
Ejaz Gul (21), of Berners Street, Highfields, Leicester, who had already been snared once before in a previous police sting, was jailed for three years.
High court judge Mr Justice Flaux told him: "You were a street dealer – and more than just a runner.
"Evidence suggests you had an operational role within a chain of dealers."
Tariq Khan Gul (20), of Apollo Court, Highfields, received a two-year detention sentence.
The judge told him: "You were phoned by (undercover) officers and supplied them, but your role was less than Ejaz Gul."
Nazmul Ali (21), of Attlebridge Close, Hamilton, Leicester, was jailed for two years for his role as a drugs runner.
Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the defendants were involved at street level.
Two officers, calling themselves Rob and Paul, posed as drug users in July and August.
Miss Rose said: "Ejaz Gul, nicknamed H, provided his number to an officer and arranged other persons to be present to carry out the transactions.
"He was only involved in one supply but ensured others supplied the officers."
In 2009, Ejaz Gul was sentenced to 12 months detention for supplying class A drugs in similar circumstances during another investigation.
Tariq Gul was also on early release licence when he was arrested for an earlier heroin offence. The deals were mainly for £15 and carried out in Maynard Road, Melbourne Street and Berners Street, in Highfields.
In mitigation, all three defendants were said to have resorted to street dealing because they were under pressure to pay off drug debts they had accrued.
Ali was said to have succumbed to peer pressure and was easily led.
All three regretted their involvement and the effect it had on their relatives and friends, many of whom were in the public gallery to support them, the court heard.
Ejaz Gul admitted two offences of supply, one of offering to supply and six of being concerned in supplying, all involving either heroin or crack cocaine.
Tariq Gul admitted one offence of offering to supply a class A drug, two of being concerned in supply, one of supply and possessing criminal property – £500 cash.
Ali admitted four offences of supplying heroin and one of crack cocaine.
Afterwards, police sergeant Ben Gillard said: "We know that local drug dealing can damage communities and this result shows we are taking tough action against drug dealers.
"We would like to thank the community for their assistance.
"But we still need the public's help, to continue providing us with information, so we can carry on targeting, arresting and bringing to justice people involved in drug dealing in this area."
