POLICE have praised intelligence from the public after nine men were sentenced to more than 38 years in total for their involvement in a multi-million pound drugs network.

It is estimated about 70 to 80 kilograms of cocaine would have eventually found its way onto streets in County Durham as a result of what Judge John Walford said was a “planned and carefully organised operation which had the potential to generate enormous sums of money”.

Cocaine was collected from Liverpool, in the North-West, and delivered by couriers to County Durham before being stored in an old disused quarry, near West Rainton, and cut nearby for onward sale.

Matthew Howard , a mixed martial arts star nicknamed “The Wrecking Machine”, was said to be the controlling mind behind the conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Howard, 34, of Warrant Road, Stoke, who has connections to the Darlington area through extended family, received a nine-year, four-month jail sentence at Teesside Crown Court.

His so-called ‘lieutenant’ 39-year-old Dean Price, of Watson Street, Manchester, was jailed for eight years by Judge John Walford.

David Heslop, 43, of Edward Street, Durham, who was watched by police travelling by quad bike to the quarry, provided the cash for the drugs and was also jailed for eight years.

Between May 9 and September 6 2013, 13 “significant” journeys took place bringing cocaine into the North-East with one man, courier Phillip Edwards, carrying ten kilos of cocaine alone before his arrest.

Edwards, 50, of Lowther Crescent, Manchester, who was jailed for six years, eight months, was found with a kilo of cocaine in his possession when his VW Golf was stopped on the A1 near Sedgefield in August 2013.

Meanwhile, more than £24,000 cash was found in the footwell of a car being driven by Price.

Detective Inspector Graeme Pallas, of Durham Police’s special crime operations unit, said: “It was quite obvious the drugs were being sourced from Merseyside and ending up in County Durham in a well-organised and structured fashion.

“Howard was the ‘go to’ man who Heslop went to, Howard used Price and Price would source the controlled drugs as well as collect the money.”

Det Insp Pallas added: “The message to the communities of County Durham is please come forward with information about drug-dealing and we will act on it.

“This started off with intelligence from members of the public highlighting concerns about some of the individuals involved.

“We are making inroads and it is a case of disrupting these networks when we can.”

Others to receive jail sentences were Christopher Penter, 31, of Trinity Street, Manchester, who received eight years and was the only one of the group not to admit involvement – instead being convicted after a trial.

Lee Patterson, 38, of Lantern Court, Durham, a close associate of Heslop’s, was given four years, eight months, and 37-year-old Michael Pepper, of Sutherland Place, Durham, a street level dealer, three years, six months.

Courier Joshua Walsh, 25, of Wollaton Walk, Manchester, received four years and Stephen Farrell, 32, of Leison Street, Liverpool, two years jail.

Sentencing those involved Judge Walford said: "Drug dealing is a modern scourge. It attracts unscrupulous people with a get-rich-quick mentality and a total disregard for the damage it causes, particularly to the young and vulnerable.”

The judge said he had read many impressive letters written both by the defendants in mitigation, as well as testimonials on their behalf.