Mahmoud Jaber, Wajid Hussain, Zahid Khan, Nadeem Hussain, Mohammed Wasim Akhtar and Mohammed Miah have all been jailed for their role in the drugs gang

Six men have been jailed for their part in a drugs gang operating across Preston.

The gang was headed by 40-year-old Zahid Khan of Albert Terrace, Deepdale, who was sentenced to 13 years for supplying cocaine and heroin.

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A two-day trial heard a Preston Crown Court uncovered how the gang operated across a network that spanned Lancashire, parts of Greater Manchester and Leicester.

Drugs with a street value of £180,000 were recovered by Lancashire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, as well as £50,000 cash.

What were the verdicts on the men from Preston?

Zahid Khan, 40, of Albert Terrace Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin and conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

Mohammed Wasim Akhtar, 44, of Ashleigh Street, Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to six years and four months imprisonment.

Wajid Hussain, 30, of Symonds Road, Preston was found guilty of conspiracy to launder money following a trial and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Aroon Younus, 30, of St Georges Road, Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to 68 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also ordered to serve 180 hours of unpaid community work.

Shakeel Sawar, 26, of Cottam Avenue, Preston pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to 42 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years. He was also ordered to serve 250 hours of unpaid community work.

Isaac Amin, 35, of Cromford Walk, Preston was found not guilty of conspiracy to launder money following a trial but pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis. He was previously given a suspended sentence.

What did the police say?

Half a kilo of cocaine seized, and £30,000 recovered by police

DS Mark Lee from Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious Organised Crime Unit said: “Our investigation revealed that Khan and his associates couriered drugs around the county and beyond and laundered the proceeds of their drug deals.

“As a result of this operation, we have dismantled a significant drugs network, taking large quantities of cocaine and heroin off our streets and ensuring that those involved in the conspiracy have been brought to justice.

“Drugs cause serious harm to our communities and we will continue to tackle the organised crime that lies behind it. The sentences handed down send out a clear message that the supply of drugs will not be tolerated and anyone who is involved can expect to be brought before the courts.”

Who else was involved?

Mahmoud Jaber, 33, of Arncliffe Avenue, Accrington was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Mohammed Miah, 35, of Cross Ormerod Street, Bolton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to eight years and four months imprisonment.

Nadeem Hussain, 28, of Falkland Avenue, Rochdale pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.

Imran Patel, 30, of Trueway Road, Leicester will be sentenced on July 26. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to launder money.