Drugs gang sentenced for cocaine conspiracy

Two men from Rochdale, Christopher Wayne Penter and Philip Edwards, were part of a drugs gang jailed for a total of more than 65 years.

The nine-man gang were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for their involvement in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs - Penter was jailed for eight years and Edwards for six years eight months.

The main ringleader was Matthew Howard, aged 35, from Market Drayton in Shropshire, who was sentenced to nine years, four months.

The other gang members sent to prison were Dean Martin Price, aged 39 from Manchester (eight years), David Alan Heslop, aged 43 from West Rainton (eight years), Lee Patterson, aged 39 of Sherburn Village (four years), Joshua Walsh from Denton, Manchester (four years), Michael Pepper, aged 37 from Gilesgate (two years) and Stephen Farrell, from Liverpool (two years).

All but one pleaded guilty which allowed them to receive slightly reduced sentences.

Det Sgt Graeme Pallas said; "For several months across the summer of 2014 we ran a covert investigation into a conspiracy to supply large quantities of cocaine - up to 13 kilos - from the Liverpool area into County Durham.

"We are relentless in our pursuit of those who choose a life of organised crime and even allowing for the discount given for a guilty plea, these are substantial sentences."