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(Image: NCJ MEDIA SYNDICATION)

The widespread operation, involved members of the group supplying huge amounts of cocaine and heroin to the likes of Gateshead and Liverpool.

A court heard the Tyneside leg of the plot was headed up by Richard French, while the North West side was managed by Dean Lynch.

Both men recruited trusted associates including couriers, distributors and providers of safe houses to store drugs and money.

French even cut and stored the stash at the homes of his mum, unsuspecting grandfather and uncle.

However police became suspicious and in March 2014 the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) launched Operation Valiant.

(Image: NCJ SYNDICATION)

They smashed the ring and seized drugs with a street value of around £8m and more than £100,000 in cash.

Eight gang members pleaded guilty to drugs offences and seven are behind bars.

Sentencing them at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Robert Adams said: "There were huge and high profits for some people involved, if not all involved.

"The quantities [of drugs] seized don't form the whole picture as there were clearly many more deliveries that were not subject to seizures by the police."

Sentencing French, Judge Adams added: "You were involved in a multimillion-pound drugs operation, not necessarily at the top of the tree but certainly a leading role."

(Image: NCJ MEDIA SYNDICATION)

Judge Adams said he believed Lynch was higher up the chain as he was the drug supplier for French.

Richard French, 27, of Windmill Way, Gateshead, was sentenced to nine years and four months for conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

His "trusted lieutenant" Niraj Patel 30, of St Cuthberts Road, Gateshead, was given five years for supplying cocaine and transferring criminal property.

Ricky Lister-Pattinson, 29, of The Court Yard, Lamesley, Gateshead, was given two years and seven months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Stuart Watson, 37, who the court heard oversaw the drug scheme while French was away on holiday, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 300 hours of unpaid work for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Richard French's mother Mandy French, 45, of Denmark Street, Gateshead pleaded guilty to concealing criminal property and was sentenced to 4 months suspended for 12 months.

Leading the North West plot, Lynch, 33, of Finch Road, Liverpool, was given 10 years and eight months for conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

His friend Andrew McGilley, 39, of Finch Lane, Liverpool, was sentenced to four years and two months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Carl Burke, 52, of Plain Tree Road, Liverpool, was given six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Liam Kerrigain, 37, of St Annes Gardens, Liverpool, was jailed for 40 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.

DCI Paul Colling, of NERSOU, said: "This was a significant criminal gang, which were planning to bring around £8m worth of cocaine and heroin to North East communities.

"Drugs ruin people's lives. We are very pleased to have taken these substances off the streets and have the criminals behind bars."