THE "second-in-command" to a fugitive drug baron has been jailed for 12 years for his part in a £3m narcotics ring.

Michael Watts, 34, was arrested when undercover police smashed his operation and seized Ecstasy and cannabis destined for towns across the country.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Watts, 34, his father, Michael Watts Snr, 59, Gary James, 45, David Faulkner, 53, and William Day, 55, ran the operation, with the backing of drugs importer Philip Legender. Legender is believed to have fled the country.

They all denied the charges, but after a six-week trial Watts Jnr was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, being concerned in the supply of Ecstasy, and had already pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent. He was cleared of two charges of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

His father pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and admitted passing on drugs to a courier on behalf of the gang. He was cleared of one charge of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Judge Esmond Faulks yesterday sentenced Watts Jnr, of Victoria Road West, Hebburn, South Tyneside, to 12 years, and said: "You were in my view, not just the view of the prosecution, effectively Mr Legender's second-in-command."

Watts Snr, of Witty Avenue, Hebburn, was sentenced to 15 months.

Day, of Ivy Close, Newcastle, was found guilty of two charges of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, but cleared of being concerned in the supply of Ecstasy. He was jailed for eight years.

James, of Ilford, Essex, and Faulkner, of Kirby, Liverpool, were found guilty of being concerned in the supply of drugs. They were both jailed for 12 years.