A drug dealer who was caught at Manchester Airport after going on the run has been jailed.

Rafhan Sarwar, 34, was part  of an organised criminal gang which conspired to run a multi-million-pound Class A drug supply ring throughout the North-West, Yorkshire and the Midlands from their bases in Pendle and Burnley.

Sarwar went on the run for nearly a year before being detained at Manchester Airport. During that time, his co-conspirators were given prison sentences totalling more than 60 years.

Sarwar, formerly of Charles Street, Nelson, but now of no fixed address, was jailed for a total of nine and a half years by Judge Simon Medland KC at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.

Police officers from the East Target Crime Unit investigated and dismantled the gang, which operated the heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine supply lines commonly referred to by their customers as the ‘Don’, ‘Shark’, ‘Rambo’ and ‘Harry’ Lines from February 2022 to March 2023.

Police said in an attempt to thwart the investigation the gang leaders hired luxury cottages and holiday rentals costing thousands of pounds per week and regularly moved to avoid detection.

During the course of the investigation, officers seized drugs, cash and weapons and also put the four drug-dealing lines out of action.

The investigation was part of Operation Warrior, which is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire.

A police spokesperson said: "If you believe that someone may be involved in drug activity in your area, you can report it to us by calling 101. 

"Alternatively, you can report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report your concerns anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999."