A gang who conspired to push crack cocaine and heroin across East Lancashire have appeared in court.

Rafhan Sarwar, 34, of Charles Street, Nelson, was arrested at Manchester Airport in December 2023 after police launched an appeal to find him in connection with class A drug offences last year.

Lancashire Police arrested Sarwar as part of 'Operation Indy', a plan to tackle organised crime groups in the borough, after he had returned from Dubai.

Police found evidence of Sarwar conspiring to sell crack cocaine and heroin from March 2022 to March 2023, in luxury cottages in East Lancashire.

Alongside Sarwar were co-defendants Mohammad Sohail, 18, of Kibble Grove, Brierfield, and Siraaj Imran, 21, also of Kibble Grove, who were also part of the 'Rambo', 'Shark' and 'Dom' drug lines.

Preston Crown Court heard how Sohail and Imran both played lesser roles in the conspiracy, including organising text messages and delivery of the drugs.

Sarwar was due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Friday, July 19), but had his case adjourned to define his role in the operation.

Sarwar pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and will now be sentenced on Tuesday, September 10, at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mitigation for Sohail and Imran included their previous good character and current employment, with Sohail also committing his crime at the age of 17, a lesser sentence than if he was an adult.

Sohail pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class drugs.

Imran pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and one count of being concerned in the conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Judge Simon Medland KC sentenced Sohail to two years in custody, suspended for two years, and sentenced Imran to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years.

He also ordered both of the defendants to 15 days of rehabilitation exercises, and 150 hours of unpaid work. 

Judge Medland KC said: "These drugs destroy people's lives, and you have let yourselves and your familes down.

"If you do not change your lifestyles, you will be back in court and will serve this time in prison."