A MAN who served hundreds of customers with heroin from a specially adapted retail "drugs shop" in Nelson was today facing a "premier league" prison sentence.
Anthony Dewhurst, 28, of Giles Street, Nelson, failed to attend Preston Crown Court when three other men were jailed for a total of 25 years for conspiracy to supply heroin.
He was later arrested locally and was today appearing at the crown court for sentence.
He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply drugs.
Dewhurst was said to have served wraps of heroin to hundreds of callers at a specially adapted shop in Leeds Road, Nelson, over several months in 1998.
What he and the other conspirators didn't know was that police were keeping surveillance and videoing dealings carried out through a specially fitted hatch.
Some of the profits from the drugs dealing, the court was also told, were used by others to buy expensive cars and even used towards the purchase of Harle Syke sub post office in Burnley Road, Briercliffe for money laundering.
On December 15, "mastermind" Azizul Wahab, 31, of Clive Street, Burnley, was sentenced to 12 years.
Joseph Cromer, 29, of Cleethorpes, who travelled from the east coast to East Lancashire to buy heroin for his own use and for supply, was sentenced to nine years and "messenger boy" Roy Crossley, 21, of Albion Street, Nelson, was given four years.
Judge Edward Slinger told them they had been involved in premier league drugs dealing with premier league awards, premier league risks and premier league sentences. ARRESTED: Anthony Dewhurst
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