Evidence gathered over a year by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit led to the discovery of the two groups, based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and in the West Midlands, who were involved in the collection, distribution and sale of class A drugs.

As the investigation continued, members of the groups and their roles were further established which led to the arrests of the eight men in April last year.

From top left to top right: Simon Doherty, Jack Lindon, Thomas Whittle, Jamie Buckley

From bottom left to bottom right: Jamie Phelan, Ryan Marsh, Kieran Buck, Scott Thorley

On Friday (11 April), those eight men were sentenced at court to a total of more than 60 years’ imprisonment after all pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

• Simon Doherty, 31, formerly of Oxford Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry was sentenced to 11 years and three months imprisonment
• Jack Lindon, 28, formerly of Pailton Close, Coventry, was sentenced to 11 years and three months imprisonment
• Thomas Whittle, 32, formerly of Hinckley Road, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months imprisonment
• Jamie Buckley, 34, formerly of Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, was sentenced to eight years and five months imprisonment
• Jamie Phelan, 36, formerly of Old Crown Mews, Coventry, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment
• Ryan Marsh, 40, formerly of Charles Street, New Arley, Warkwickshire, was sentenced to six years and four months imprisonment
• Kieran Buck, 31, formerly of Hastings Drive, Barwell, Leicestershire, was sentenced to five years imprisonment
• Scott Thorley, 30, formerly of Slate Drive, Burbage, Leicestershire, was sentenced to five years imprisonment

The investigation found Whittle to be at the head of the Hinckley-based group, who alongside Doherty, directed and organised the buying of cocaine in multi-kilogram quantities and the sale of that cocaine in multi-ounce quantities.

Analysis of messages to and from telephone numbers attributed to Whittle showed him arranging the sale of cocaine while Doherty’s phone included images of cash. Cash was also recovered from Doherty’s home.

Buckley was also found to be part of the Hinckley-based group helping with making arrangements for drugs to be collected and delivered while Thorley was a driver and worker for the group, delivering drugs at the instruction of Whittle and sending messages on behalf of Buckley.

Buck was also found to be a driver for the group.

Meanwhile, heading up the West Midlands-based group was Lindon who arranged multi-kilogram supplies of drugs from the West Midlands area to the Hinckley-based group.

Phelan assisted with delivering these multi-kilograms of cocaine to the Hinckley-based group with cash and deal bags being found at his home following his arrest.

Marsh also worked for the West Midlands-based group delivering large quantities of cocaine to the Hinckley group as well as dealing smaller quantities and collecting money owed. Following his arrest, images of cash were found on his phone as well as message in relation to sales of drugs and collecting cash.

Detective Sergeant Chris Sewell said: “Drug offending of this kind has huge impacts on our communities. The people involved believed they could freely operate, conspiring to supply class A drugs, without being brought to account.

“Thank you to the investigating team involved who showed a huge amount of dedication, skill and effort in making sure that these offenders were brought before the courts.

“We continue to act on information received in relation to drug offending and urge anyone with any information to report it to us so that we can take the necessary action.

“You can report online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”