Accrington drugs gang videoed bagging up their stock

Hasnain Ashraf, 34 was the head of the conspiracy which sought to flood the town with heroin and crack cocaine.

Joseph Oakes, 23, was a runner for the Max line.

Hasnain Ashraf (Image: Lancashire Police)

The pair, both from Accrington, were jailed last week (October 7) at Preston Crown Court alongside Lewis Lord, 23, of South Square, Blackpool, and Lloyd Spencer, 40, of Hawkshead Road, Manchester.

A clip released by Lancashire Police showed footage from the defendants' mobile phones that showed them together in a house bagging up drugs and smoking.

Evidence showed the head of the line was Ashraf, also known as ‘Nanny’, and that he sourced drugs from Spencer in the areas of Blackburn and Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

READ MORE: Two Accrington men jailed over class A drugs conspiracy

Ashraf and Lord recruited others to assist in the operation by dealing across Accrington or allowing their addresses to be used for onward supply or for drug preparation.

Joseph Oakes (Image: Lancashire Police)

The four jailed men were joined in court by three other defendants who all received suspended sentences.

Paul Moxham, 50, of Whalley Road, Altham West and Sameer Amin, 32, of Hovey Close, Manchester, received two-year sentences suspended for two years.

Aston Johnson, 21, of Brear Vale, Oswaldtwistle, was given a two-year detention suspended for two years and must complete 30 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Lewis Lord (Image: Lancashire Police)

DS Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: “These seven men played key roles in what they thought was a well-organised Class A drugs supply operation. Through dedicated police work we managed to unravel their trafficking operation and put them before the courts – even Joseph Oakes who thought he would never be caught.

“We know that these OCGs exploit the most vulnerable members of society and cause misery in the areas in which they operate. We will continue to target these groups, dismantle their operations and put their members before the courts.”

Lloyd Spencer (Image: Lancashire Police)

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner said: "Results like this highlight the often unseen work being carried out around the clock, and will reassure the public that we are tackling organised crime at full force, with Lancashire Police acting on information from the public to drive criminals out of our county.

"Strong deterrents and proactive enforcement are key, as is focusing on intervention to stop crime in its tracks and break the cycles of reoffending.

"I will continue to back the Chief Constable, so our police officers and staff have the resources they need to tackle criminal gangs and bring offenders to justice."