Police recovered heroin with a street value of £7,000 after a surveillance operation to target dealers in the Leominster area.
Operation Hedge netted a gang led by 36-year-old Shaun Burrows, who had been supplying the drug for 13 months.
The trio were identified after a drug courier was arrested as he returned by car to Leominster with a stash of heroin bought in Gloucester, said Mohammed Latif, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.
Analysis of his seized phone showed text messages between him and Burrows.
Burrows, who lived with his parents in Mortimer Street, Leominster, was jailed for nine years and four months.
Daran Morris, 31, of George Street, Leominster, was sentenced to four years and Zahid Mahmood, 27, of
Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, to three years and four months.
The trio pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin between May 2008 and June 2009.
Judge Alistair McCreath described ringleader Burrows as “a retailer of heroin on a significant scale”.
He said Morris had transported drugs on 24 occasions over two months and Mahmood was a courier on only one occasion – but had previous drug convictions.
The judge said heroin inflicted misery on addicts and their families and had to be met with substantial punishment.
The police operation entailed many searches, drug seizures and the secret surveillance of property and individuals, said Mr Latif.
Burrows, who supplied heroin from a back room of his home, was also observed handing over packages to people who arrived in vehicles.
Despite being arrested a number of times, Burrows was granted bail and carried on dealing.
Burrows was seen meeting Mahmood on June 24, 2009. Burrows was found to have heroin worth £1,400 on him when arrested for the final time.
Anthony Weston, for Burrows, said he had used heroin for eight years to cope with life.
Drugs had replaced alcohol but had pushed him into selling to fund his own habit.
John Dyer, for Morris, said as an addict for 15 years he was well aware of the damage caused by hard drugs and was “disgusted” at his participation.
Timothy Pole, for Mahmood, said he had a limited role but but had previously served three years for possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.