15 men jailed for total of 90 years for roles in Preston drug dealing ring
15 men have been jailed for a total of 90 years after police in Preston smashed a drug dealing ring.
15 men have been jailed for a total of 90 years after police in Preston smashed a drug dealing ring.
Officers believe the gang made at least £1.5m from dealing crack cocaine and heroin in the city between 2014 and 2015.
They admitted to supplying at least six kilos of cocaine which was smuggled into Preston by more than 20 car trips from Merseyside.
Preston Police caught them as part of Operation Rabbit from December 2014 to October 2015.
WATCH: Detective Inspector Pete Danby from Lancashire Police was part of the operation:
12 of the men are from Preston - three of them are from Merseyside.
Preston Crown Court heard how 28-year old Anthony Watkins of no fixed address was the ringleader of the drugs gang in Preston.
Police believe he worked with 27-year old Michael Dineley of Ellerman Road, Liverpool and they organised the smuggling of drugs from Merseyside into Preston.
This was done by two couriers, 27-year old Stephen Foster of Upchuch Close, Liverpool and 39-year old David Mochrie of West Road, Prenton.
Police say the gang based in Preston stored their drugs in woodland and contacted their dozens of clients by text message.
WATCH: Here's CCTV footage provided by Lancashire Police showing how they caught them as part of Operation Rabbit:
The sentences are as follows:
Anthony Watkins, 28, of no fixed address, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine) and heroin. He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Matthew Botham, 20, of no fixed address, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine) and heroin. He has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.
Daniel McGuiness, 26, of no fixed address, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine) and heroin. He has been sentenced to five years and two months in prison.
Mark Watkins, 24, of Merrick Ave, Preston, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine). He has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.
Michael Dineley, 27, of Ellerman Road, Liverpool, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine). He has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
David Mochrie, 39, of West Road, Prenton, Liverpool, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine) and two counts of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. He has been sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.
Stephen Foster, 27, of Lapwing Close, Liverpool, charged with and pleaded guilty to; Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine). He has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison.
A 17 year old from Preston, charged with and pleaded guilty to; conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. He has been sentenced to two years and 299 days in prison.
Wayne Small, 47, of New Hall Lane, Preston was charged with and pleaded guilty to; conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. He has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Joshua Knowles, 19, of Gammull Lane, Ribbleton, Preston, was charged with and pleaded guilty to; conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. He has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
Jason Jackson, 26, of NFA, charged with and pleaded guilty to; conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, possession of ammunition without a certificate and an affray. He has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison.
Ryan Blakey, 18, of Lawson Street, Preston was charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. He has been sentenced to three years and 45 days in prison.
Kasib Hussain, 35, of Burrow Road, Preston, charged with and pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Supply a Class A Drug (Cocaine) and heroin. He has been sentenced to eight years and one month in prison.
James Wilkinson, 27, of Cotty Brook Close, Preston pleaded guilty to assisting an offender. He has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Sam Knowles, 20, of NFA, charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack and heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, assault and possession of an offensive weapon. He has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison.
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "These sentences send out a clear message that the police will do everything in their power to keep our streets safe from the criminal gangs whose illegal activities are putting lives at risk.
"These men were responsible for plotting to supply a phenomenal amount of heroin and cocaine in Preston. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Lancashire's police officers they are now behind bars and another organised crime gang has been dealt a major blow.
"This is an excellent result and shows that we remain committed to tackling crime and keeping Lancashire safe."