A TEAM of undercover police officers trailed and recorded the movements of a gang of international drug smugglers for months before raiding an industrial unit in Radcliffe, a court was told.

Gerald McLeish, who drove a gold Lexus, was followed as he visited several addresses, according to a police observation officer.

Undercover observation officer David Redgate was giving evidence in the trial of eight men, including one from Bolton, accused of running a multi-million pound drug importation business.

Bolton Crown Court heard that drugs were brought into the UK from Belgium and Spain hidden among containers of engine spare parts.

The street value of the drugs, which included cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines, was estimated at between £120 million and £200 million.

After months of investigation, officers raided a unit on Beesley Industrial Estate in Radcliffe where they discovered a massive haul of drugs.

PC Redgate said officers followed McLeish, aged 42, of Clifton Close, Heywood, in cars on various dates and watched him meet several people, including one man who has admitted his part in the drug deals. Photographs taken of McLeish as he met with other men in pub car parks were produced as evidence. The court heard how McLeish, said to be the managing director of the drugs "company", was seen making a call from a phone kiosk while at the same time using his mobile.

Police officers also kept watch on Christian Wolfendale, who has admitted his role in the operation, as he made a series of visits to houses, the Radcliffe industrial unit and with McLeish.

McLeish, a jeweller, had more than £500,000 in cash in two safes when arrested. Paul Bell, aged 37, of Hardcastle Apartments, Bradshaw Hall Drive, Bolton, was alleged to be regional sales manager of the so-called company and when police searched his flat they found £50,000 in cash stuffed in shoe boxes.

Ian Longden was allegedly the delivery man seen by police regularly collecting deliveries from the Radcliffe unit for shipment.

(Proceeding)