A PRUDHOE man was among 12 men who have been convicted for their involvement in the large-scale supply and distribution of illegal drugs.

James Madine of Milton Grove was part of the organised crime group who were involved in a conspiracy which Northumbria Police said flooded the North-East with cocaine and cannabis.

A six-month operation saw officers gather evidence of the drug ring operating out of a number of addresses in Blaydon, Winlaton, Burradon and North Shields.

Police carried out a number of raids in October 2016 as part of the investigation, initially arresting nine men.

After gathering sufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution, a dozen men were charged in connection with the supply and distribution of illegal drugs.

On Thursday, July 5 at Newcastle Crown Court, the gang were convicted and told they face a lengthy custodial sentence.

A number of the gang had previously pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, but Madine was one of five men who maintained their innocence.

The 43-year-old was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was found guilty by trial on Thursday.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector, Don Gibson, said: “This organised crime gang have wreaked havoc across the North-East and we are delighted that they have been convicted of their crimes.

“Gangs like this often think they are above the law and that they will never get caught. They ran a sophisticated operation which took a lot of hard work from our officers to carry out an investigation over a number of months.

“The operation they ran posed a big threat to society, and these types of gangs target the most vulnerable in our communities for their own selfish gains.

“I would like to pay tribute to the dedication of all our officers who’ve worked on this case to ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice and will pay for the crimes they have committed."

Tony David Ross (33) of Blaydon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs; Brian Stewart Moulding (38) of Winlaton Mill pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs; Scott David McKenzie (29) of Winlaton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs; Tony Wayne Trott (29) of Sunderland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs; David Bradley (34) of Newcastle pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs; Anthony Jessop (28) of Newcastle pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to supply class A drugs and Steven Atkin (33) of Winlaton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

Anthony Thompson Ross (55) of Winlaton was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs; Liam Terual (24) of North Shields was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and Jason Snowball (22) of Winlaton was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Robert Paul Stewart (37) of Liverpool was found guilty in his absence of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. An arrest warrant has been issued.

The men were given bail and will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on a date to be confirmed later this year.