SEVEN people have been sentenced for their part in a large-scale conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in County Durham.

Six men and one woman appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Friday for sentencing following a police investigation which began in 2014.

The investigation identified a number of people who were involved in the supply of Class A drugs into East Durham and beyond.

In 2015, warrants were carried out at properties in South Hetton, Easington Lane, New Herrington, Sunderland and South Shields resulting in a number of arrests and the seizure of drugs, cocaine presses and in excess of £100,000 cash.

Five men initially denied their involvement in the conspiracy, but were found guilty following an eight-week trial earlier this year:

Christian Winter, 50, of Osborne Avenue, South Shields, who was jailed for 12 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

David Murphy, 38, of Avonmouth Road, Sunderland, who was jailed for ten years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Thomas Blake, 77, of Jubilee Square, South Hetton, who was handed an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for two years for money laundering.

Andrew Blake, 41, of Regents Court, South Hetton, and Ian Ramshaw, 32, of Cambridge Road, Sunderland, were found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and ecstasy. They will be sentenced next month.

Three men and a woman who were involved in the scheme pleaded guilty to a number of offences:

James Murphy, 39, of Fletcher Crescent, New Herrington. He was sentenced to six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and Class B drugs.

Victoria Harding, 32, of Fletcher Crescent, New Herrington. She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Calvin Brad Owens, 26, of The Crescent, Houghton-le-Spring. He was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and Class B drugs.

Christopher Binks, 32, of Station Avenue, Fencehouses, Houghton-le-Spring. He was given a three-and-a-half year prison sentence, suspended for two years for conspiracy to supply to Class A drugs.

Senior Investigating Officer Graeme Pallas, who led the investigation, said: “I am really pleased with the sentence, which is the culmination of years of hard work by a dedicated team of officers.

“This investigation would not have been possible without the support of local people who came forward with valuable pieces of intelligence.

“I hope the result sends a clear message that we will not tolerate criminality of this nature in our force area, and we will take action to dismantle, disrupt and destroy these networks.”

Anyone with any information about drug dealing and crime in their area should call Durham Constabulary on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.