AN organised crime gang responsible for the large scale supply of Class A drugs in Crewe has been jailed for a total of 19 years.

Four men from Crewe were among the six people sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday, October 24, along with two men from Merseyside.

David Probin, 28, of Bedford Street, was jailed for six years and 10 months, Christopher Flowers, 28, of Claughton Avenue, Crewe, was jailed for three years and six months, and James Entwistle, 26, of Nelson Street, Crewe, was jailed for three years and six months.

Shannon O’Neill, 20, of Claughton Avenue, Crewe, was given a 21-month suspended sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 180 hours of unpaid work, and Joseph Cottle, 21, of Rimrose Valley, Crosby, was given a two-year jail sentence.

All five pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Bernard Dutton, 55, of King Street, Liverpool, was jailed for three years and two months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and possession with intent to supply Class C drugs.

Dutton initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty at the start of his trial.

The sentencing follows a nine-month investigation into the gang by the Cheshire Police serious and crime operations unit, which led to a series of drugs raids in Crewe and Liverpool on Tuesday, December 15 2015.

Detective Inspector Giles Pierce is from Cheshire Police’s serious and crime operations unit.

“This was a complex investigation which has not only led to substantial prison sentences for all of the defendants, but has also helped to remove over £260,000 worth of Class A drugs from the streets of Cheshire,” he said.

“The investigation was carried out as part of Operation Impact and it shows the commitment that we have in targeting those people that undermine our communities and bring misery to residents through their involvement in organised crime and illegal drugs.

“I hope that this case sends out a clear message to other potential criminals that drugs crime will not be tolerated in Cheshire.”

David Keane, Cheshire police and crime commissioner, said: “It’s pleasing to see the sentences that that have been handed down to the defendants in this case.

“I would like to thank all of the officers and staff involved in the operation for the dedication and commitment that they have shown.

“The supply of illegal drugs is something that many of our residents in Cheshire are concerned about and tackling this issue is of the uppermost importance to me.

“The constabulary are undertaking some excellent work to take drugs of the streets and put offenders in prison – I will be working with the chief constable to ensure this continues.”

Any residents with information on suspected drug related activity are asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.