Six sentenced over trans-Pennine drugs ring

Bradford organiser Mark Davey, only recently released from a previous 16-year prison term for a multi-million-pound drugs conspiracy, was jailed for 12 years for his part in the network, which saw consignments of cocaine being brought from Liverpool for distribution in West Yorkshire.

Davey, 43, of Maple Avenue, Thornbury, Bradford, was arrested in December 2008 after at least four kilograms of cocaine were brought to his home by Salford man Anthony Sutherland.

The month before, Davey had been under observation when another man, Peter Atherton, arrived in Bradford and parked outside his house.

Atherton's works van was stopped on his return journey along the M62 and officers seized drug-contaminated cash totalling almost 150,000, Bradford Crown Court heard.

When police swooped the following month they found three kilos of cocaine in Sutherland's Citroen van together with nearly 76,000 in cash.

In Davey's home they found a further 54,000 in cash.

The police operation also led them to a house in Sussex Place, Hunslet, where Andrew Duffy, 23, and Kevin Middleton, 27, were arrested.

Inquiries also led officers to Cyril Hooton, 30, who was involved in drug dealing in the Leeds area.

Atherton, of Moreton, Liverpool, was locked up for six years, while Sutherland was jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Hooton, of Cromwell Mount, Leeds, was jailed for six years. Anthony Carver, 40, of The Clearings, Belle Isle, Leeds, was given a five-year prison term.

Duffy, of Sussex Place, Hunslet, Leeds, was jailed for four years.

Taxi driver David Peach, 33, of East Ardsley, Manchester who worked as a driver for Hooton was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must also do 200 hours community work.

Middleton, of Windmill Approach, Belle Isle, received the same sentence.