As leader of the group, Mann oversaw the distribution of the drugs, while the brothers Alexander and Luke Purcell acted as couriers to move the drugs.

Ian Lewis laundered the group's ill-gotten gains, as well as collecting money on behalf of Mann to buy luxury cars.

Ryan Prescott was the principle courier, moving more than 100 kilogrammes of class A drugs alongside Mann and the Purcell brothers.

Finally, Thomas Johnson was identified during the investigation as a customer of the group, buying five kilogrammes of cocaine for his own drug supply operation.

Johnson initially pleaded not guilty, blaming family members for his own criminality. He was found guilty at trial.

Throughout the investigation, officers observed the men driving high-end cars and wearing luxury clothes and watches despite only having a modest legitimate income from their jobs.

Messages sent between the group’s members were seen in which they discussed how much money and drugs they were moving and where to.

The group used codenames in their messaging including “Cookies” and “Greyman” – believed to be the aliases of Prescott and Mann.

Their messages included telling each other how much money they could keep as payment for courier work as well as the quantities of drugs being ordered by customers.

The six defendants were all arrested in 2022 and charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

When officers searched Luke Purcell’s house, they found a top-venting handgun which had been converted to fire live ammunition.

Throughout the investigation, officers seized 21 kilos of cocaine, 4.9 kilos of ketamine, 17 grams of MDMA and more than £450,000 in cash.

It is believed Mann, the Purcells and Prescott were involved in moving more than 100 kilos of Class A drugs each.

Now the six men have been jailed following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

They were sentenced as follows:

• Jonathan Mann, 31, of Gretna Road, Coventry: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property – Jailed for 13 years and four months.
• Thomas Johnson, 35, of Trafford Close, Atherstone: Found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property – Jailed for 16 years.
• Luke Purcell, 30, of Barkers Butts Lane, Coventry: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession of criminal property and possession of a firearm – Jailed for 13 years and two months.
• Alexander Purcell, 32, of Burns Road, Coventry: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property – Jailed for nine years.
• Ryan Prescott, 29, of Morris Avenue, Coventry: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property – Jailed for eight years.
• Ian Lewis, 28, of Hollyfast Road, Coventry: Pleaded guilty to money laundering – jailed for three years.

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This operation is the latest in a number of successes under Op Target, our regionwide campaign against serious and organised crime.

Our officers have seized millions of pounds worth of cash and drugs from organised crime and County Lines gangs in the last 12 months, as well as jailed dozens of suspects.