Drugs gang 'supergrass' jailed

The informer has seriously disrupted the drugs gangs activities

A drug gang member who turned "supergrass" and gave evidence against his partners in crime has been jailed for seven years.

The man's testimony led to 14 men who were involved in the £100m smuggling operation being given sentences totalling 158 years.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons but comes from Bolton, Greater Manchester, was told by a judge he had provided "gold carat" assistance.

He said he would have sentenced him to 28 years if he had been convicted after a trial but had rewarded for causing "enormous disruption" to the drugs trade in northern England.

Judge Mark Brown said: "You are entitled to a huge discount off your sentence because the courts are very keen to make clear that if people do assist the police in such a way that this information will be rewarded in a positive fashion.

He has been the edifice upon which the prosecution has been built Lord Carlisle QC, defending

"It is in part due to your help that one of the biggest drug smuggling operations in the country has been cracked.

"You have caused enormous disruption to highly organised drug trafficking in the north of England and certain people have fled the UK in the belief as a result of your information they will face prosecution if arrested.

"The assistance you gave to police can only be described as enormous.

"It is clear you have put yourself at great risk and that situation will no doubt remain for the rest of your life."

Liverpool Crown Court heard threats had been made against the man's life.

Admitted his role

His barrister said he was the biggest ever supergrass in relation to such a serious crime.

The smuggling operation was ended when police and customs officers seized a £15m haul of cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and cannabis hidden in a lorry from The Netherlands.

The informer later revealed there had been 11 previous importations and admitted his role in all of them.

His defence barrister, Lord Carlisle QC, said the man had wanted to get out of the drugs gang at an early stage but had been unable to do so.

He added: "He has been the edifice upon which the prosecution has been built.

"He has been a unique witness who is probably the largest ever supergrass in relation to the most serious of crime other than capital offences."