Drugs cartel members jailed for plan to flood region with £30m of heroin and cocaine

Tonight, four of those involved in the "well-organised and sophisticated" trans-Pennines trade were starting lengthy jail sentences.

Further gang members from Hartlepool and those linked to a notorious crime group in the North-West will be sentenced today and next week.

In all, 19 people have been convicted in Operation Roderigo after detectives bugged cars and followed suspects to meetings over two-and-a-half years to build a case.

Police said the "incredibly complex and and professional investigation" led to the "unprecedented" seizures, as well as photographic, CCTV, text message and telephone evidence.

Adrian Morfitt and David Garside, both 30 and from Hartlepool, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis as well as their involvement in two amphetamine plots.

Morfitt, of Caistor Drive, was jailed for 12 years, and Garside, of Hampstead Gardens, was locked up for 11 years and eight months after being described as "centre pins" of the North-East group.

Merseyside members Ian Stanton, 44, and his right-hand man, Keith Watson, 38, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine, and received sentences of 16 years and 15 years and four months respectively.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Stanton fled to Spain before being arrested and was labelled the National Crime Agency's "most wanted" fugitive.

Prosecutors said other members of the gangs travelled the world to launder money, while an amphetamine factory was found at a house in Liverpool.

An estimated £19 million worth of amphetamine was trafficked between Hartlepool and Newcastle in August 2012 alone.

A courier was observed receiving 12 kilograms of the Class B drug, worth up to £1.3 million, from drugs gang member 34-year-old Paul Rudd.

Analysis of the man's mobile phone indicated he had made 13 previous visits to the area, which the prosecution say were weekly collections.

The court heard undercover police also watched Hartlepool kingpins Garside and Morfitt meet leaders of the Merseyside-based dealers at Liverpool Docks, Wetherby and Scotch Corner.

Adrian Morfitt

The gang members used code in telephone conversations and text messages for a drug delivery, with the word 'vehicle' signifying a movement of illegal substances.

David Garside

One criminal who had his car bugged was watched jetting off all over the world to places such as China and Europe to launder the proceeds of deals.

While Stanton was working with the Hartlepool gang, he was also involved in an attempt to recover cocaine which had been confiscated by the authorities at Tilbury Docks on the River Thames in Essex.

Keith Watson

Right-hand man Watson acted as Stanton's representative in the UK after he went on the run, and was described as "an integral part" of the group by Judge Peter Armstrong, and, like his mate, he has previous convictions for drug dealing.

Ian Stanton

Watson also roped in his girlfriend, Melanie Lawrenson, 35, and was said by his barrister to have "bitterly regretted" her involvement, and be "truly contrite" for his.

Melanie Lawrenson

Morfitt and Garside were also said to have regretted the impact their involvement will have on their wives and children.

Judge Armstrong said the four men expected "substantial financial reward" from their illegal trades, which he described as "sophisticated, efficient and potentially highly-profitable".

Detective Inspector Sarah Robinson, of Cleveland Police, said afterwards: "I have no doubt that the combined work of the Cleveland Police, the National Crime Agency and other law-enforcement agencies prevented the North-East becoming the home of illicit drugs laboratories and ultimately and most importantly kept the people of Cleveland safe."