Four members of a drugs gang involved in bringing tens of thousands of pounds worth of heroin from Liverpool to sell in the streets of Norwich, have been given jail sentences totalling more than 20 years.
Andrew Bernal-Leiva, 41, was said to have played a leading role in the drug operation and 'controlled and directed' the dealing from a hub used by the gang at his address in King Street, in Norwich, a court heard.
Philip Farr, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said the gang was smashed after Norfolk police carried out a surveillance operation which lasted more than six months and tracked the gang as they made regular trips to Liverpool.
When they arrested Bernal-Leiva on July 22, last year, officers found almost a kilo of heroin with a street value of £100,000 hidden in a washing machine at his address. They also arrested two drug couriers Nathan Marsh 29, and Kinoosh Sephrin, 43.
Mr Farr said that despite the bust, the Norwich address continued to be used for drug dealing and in October, last year, there was a further arrest of Matthew Kelleher, 41, who was involved in stashing away the heroin, often burying drugs in areas around Ashill, in Norfolk.
Leiva-Bernal of King Street, Norwich, Sephrin of St John's Close, Hall Road, Marsh, of no fixed address and Kelleher of School Road, Holme Hale, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Bernal-Leiva was jailed for eight years, Marsh was jailed for five years four months; Sephrin was jailed for three years four months and Kelleher jailed for four years.
Sentencing them, Judge Stephen Holt said: 'This is all about the supply of Class A drugs coming from Liverpool down to Norwich and then sold onto the streets.'
He said the address in King Street was the 'hub of the conspiracy' and he commended the police officers for the hard work involved in smashing the drugs operation.
John Farmer, for Leiva-Bernal, said he had a history of drug use but had managed to stay off for some time until he relapsed in 2014 and had to repay a drugs debt.
He said he was not a main player: 'There is someone higher up the chain in Liverpool.'
Michael Clare for Marsh, said that he had no idea of the scale of the operation.
Andrew Shaw for Sephrin, said that he had played a lesser role and had acted as a driver to Marsh, taking him to Liverpool.: 'He had no understanding or awareness of what he was getting involved in.'
John Morgans, for Kelleher, said he also played a lesser role as he was not involved in main conspiracy involving the others.
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