A GANG of men who flooded East Lancashire with high-quality cannabis and cocaine have been jailed for a total of more than 30 years.

Barrowford businessman Darren Bowling, 48, together with 49-year-old Paul Bell were high up in the supply chain of illegal drugs, Preston Crown Court heard.

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Sentencing the men, Judge Robert Altham said: “Mr Bowling and Mr Bell acquired drugs for a source close to the importers, if not the importers themselves.”

Bowling, who police named as ‘head’ of the gang, was jailed for 11-and-a-half years after admitting conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug, namely cocaine, conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug and money laundering offences.

Bell, of Massie Street, Cheadle, was sentenced to 12 years and eight months for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug after also pleading guilty.

A third man, Stephen Barton, 42, a self-employed builder of Brandy House Brow, Blackburn, was jailed for four years and nine months years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply and producing cannabis.

Robert Wright, 49, of Bankfield Road, Sale, was sentenced to five years and three months for conspiracy to supply a cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to supply after pleading guilty in July.

The men were apprehended following a dedicated criminal investigation, Operation Victor, led by Lancashire’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

The investigation, which began in April 2013, looked into the importation and supply of cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis and money laundering across the North West.

The four were arrested in January after cross-county raids were carried out in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and southern Spain.

During the investigation officers seized 2.25kg of import quality cocaine valued at £550,000, 15kgs of amphetamine worth £150,000 street value, cannabis and £200,000 in cash.

Bowling appeared to be a successful businessman, owning storage and packaging companies at Clough Mill in Hapton, Castle Car Sales and Mojitos Wine Bar in Burnley, and a property portfolio across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and southern Spain.

But Operation Victor revealed that he was responsible for arranging the importation of cocaine into the UK via Spain, on to the North West.

Bowling’s assets have been frozen by the courts, and will be subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in July next year.

An international manhunt is also under way to find another man wanted in connection with the conspiracy.

Michael Donnelly, 42, previously of Clough Springs, Barrowford, is believed to have fled to South Africa via Dubai on a flight from Manchester on September 22, 2013.

He is wanted in connection with conspiracy to supply cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis, and money laundering.

Two other men Shaun McDonald, 37, of Colshaw Road, Manchester and Mark Waring, 39, of Peel Mount, Blackburn, are also serving prison terms after previously being sentenced for their part in the gang.