The operation saw a Norfolk gang send cash payments of almost half a million pounds to another gang in the north west which arranged for bulk packages of cocaine to be posted back.

The Norfolk gang initially sent the cash - in amounts of £25,000 - in the post before switching to couriers. In return, up to 19kg of cocaine came into the county from Blackpool.

Details of the operation emerged at Norwich Crown Court where some of those involved at the Blackpool end were sentenced.

The court heard Sam Roth, 32, collected and counted the cash - helped on one occasion by partner Emma Dickinson, 30 - while Jason Campbell, a former soldier, helped package the drugs to be sent to Norfolk.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The hearing was told that police became aware of the operation in 2022 after officers seized a phone as part of a separate drugs investigation.

On the device they found communications between the Blackpool and Norfolk gangs.

Officers then became aware of packages being sent from........

© Eastern Daily Press