EIGHT people involved in a “family business” set up to flood the streets of Burnley with almost £370,000 of amphetamines have been jailed for a total of 20 years.

The drug was obtained in bulk in Manchester and transported regularly to the town, where it was cut, weighed and packaged for mass distribution.

Huge amounts of the drug were dished out to users who came with cash in their hands to the front door of a house in Willow Street, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Head of the operation in Manchester was Roy White, 34, of Waterloo Road, who helped finance it. He is in custody awaiting sentence on December 21.

In Burnley, the main man was his brother, father-of-five and charity worker David White, 43, who lived the high life with his wife Roberta, 33, from the proceeds.

The hearing was told how the couple's home in Clifton Street, was where the amphetamine hauls were delivered to for David White to organise supply in Burnley.

The house had been extensively renovated and had flat screen TVs in every room, a steam shower and the Whites were planning a £6,200 holiday in Greece, even though they were on benefits.

David White was jailed for four and a half years. He and Roberta, the mother-of-two young children, pleaded guilty to money laundering after moving £14,000 cash to Roberta’s mother's house to try and hide it from police. Roberta was sent down for 18 months.

Roy White, David White, sister Ann White, 46, of Ashwin Walk, Cheetham Hill, nephew Kyle White, 21, of Hornby Avenue, Manchester, Ann White's uncle, Patrick Lannigan, 50, of Ingleton Avenue, Crumpsall, David White's son Ashley Davidson, 19, of Clifton Street, Michael Ryan, 49, of Clifton Street, and Ryan Geoghegan, 22, of Willow Street, all Burnley, all admitted conspiracy to supply amphetamine between December 7 2008 and February 24 this year.

Ryan, said to be the main street dealer in the organisation and formerly married to David White's cousin, was sent to prison for three and a half years.

Ann White, a single mother-of-two and then Tesco worker, who acted as a drugs custodian and courier and Kyle White, a courier, were each given three year terms.

Lannigan, an ex-solider who has seen service in Northern Ireland, Davidson and Geoghegan, who is a friend and not a family member, all got 18 months in custody.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Newell said: "There was substantial profit to be made for certain people involved in a conspiracy of this extent and this amount. It was a substantial commercial enterprise."

Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have also to sentenced for their part in the plot. A proceeds of crime hearing for Roy, Kyle, Ann, David and Roberta White will be held next year.

William Baker, prosecuting, said the conspiracy was highly organised. Large amounts of amphetamine, obtained by Roy and Kyle White, were stored in Ann White's house.

On February 24, police raided the property and found a stash of amphetamine in the freezer which weighted 24 kgs. Ann White had £4,200, the proceeds of drug supply, hidden in the wardrobe.

Observations had been carried out for 33 days by police in January and February under Operation Favour and showed that every few days Ann White would take one or two 1kg bags of amphetamine to David White's house in her handbag. She was spotted 12 times and went to Burnley by car or on the bus. On two occasions, Lannigan drove her.

The drug was then stored and divided into street deals by Ryan, Geoghegan and Davidson.

The prosecutor said Roy White watched the police search of his sister's home.

He then went to Roberta White's mother home to pick up more than £14,000 hidden there. A police officer found the money and arrested Roy White after he tried to escape.

For Kyle White, Patrick Buckley said he had been heavily influenced by others around him. He knew he would be going to jail.

For Ann White, Patrick Thompson said she had no previous convictions and 281 days on remand had come as a great culture shock.

Roderick Priestley, defending Lannigan, said he was not involved in any dealing. He had done three tours of Northern Ireland whilst in the Army.

Representing David White, Mark Rhind said he committed the offences to provide financial security for his children.

For Roberta White, Michael Lavery told the court she was not involved in the conspiracy.

Jeremy Lasker for Davidson said he got involved because of his father. Mark Stuart, defending Ryan, said he joined in to fund his own habit and not for financial gain.

Tim Storrie, defending Geoghegan, said he was a gofer and not an essential cog in the machine.

He got involved out of stupidity and bravado.