Dealers jailed in major police drugs bust

Operation Lineland has resulted in 20 people convicted of drug related offences.

Eleven men and one woman were sentenced to a total of 37 years in prison and eight defendants were given community orders, following a series of court cases spanning several months this year.

The defendants, ages ranging from 19 to 62, were charged with multiple offences including supplying class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs and concerned with supply of class A drugs.

During the operation, warrants were executed across West Yorkshire and items seized as part of house searches include an substantial amount of cash and drug production paraphernalia. Equipment for use in credit card fraud and a stolen motor vehicle were also recovered.

Detective Inspector Craig Lord, of Calderdale CID, who led the investigation, said: “This was an intelligence led operation, carried out in very difficult circumstances by a team of professional and dedicated officers over several months.

“The length of the sentences given to the main offenders shows how serious the courts view is of those who seek to profit from the misery of drug addiction. These sentences are very much welcomed by the Police.”

District Commander Chief Superintendent Dickie Whitehead said: “We will not tolerate those who think it is acceptable to conduct their criminal activity in our district.

“We know only too well the devastating impact that drug dealing can have, often being the catalyst for other offending and ripping the heart out of communities.

“This operation demonstrates our continued commitment to taking action against those responsible.”