A DRUG gang boss has been put behind bars after admitting to orchestrating a supply ring worth more than £2 million.

Marcus Anderson, aged 32, of Brooklawn Close, Prestwich, is among the latest of nine people to be sentenced following a large police investigation.

Anderson is believed to be the leader of the group which was part of a ring involving other gangs in the North West, North East and the Midlands.

He was jailed yesterday (April 10) for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Andre Knott, aged 33 of Houghton Road, Crumpsall, has also been jailed for seven years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs as part of the drug ring.

The sentencings follow an investigation, code-named Operation Vertex, that was carried out by GMP’s serious and organised crime group.

The investigation began in March 2016 and ran until October 2017, during which time the group conspired to supply more than £2 million worth of cocaine.

The group were monitored using encrypted phones, safe houses and couriers to supply and collect the drugs in an attempt to avoid detection by police.

In total, 15kg of cocaine was recovered during the investigation with a street value of almost £2.5 million.

Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick from GMP’s serious and organised crime group said: "GMP and Salford division take the threat posed by organised crime very seriously.

"Our aim is to make our communities as safe as possible and one of our tactics is the robust investigation of high level criminals whether they originate from Greater Manchester or not.

"We also work very closely with our partner agencies to ensure we have a joined up approach for our full range of tactics.

"We are very pleased with the sentences that this group have received. These convictions send out the message that crossing force boundaries does not reduce the chances of being arrested and no matter how long it takes we won’t stop until we have brought those who bring drugs onto our streets to justice."

Three kilograms of cocaine was seized from Phillip Gasson on April 27, 2016, and 12kg of cocaine was seized from Lee Shawcross on May 20, 2016.

On each of these occasions the drugs were shipped the same bags, and led officers to believe that the drugs were coming from the same source and moving through a supply chain.

Police observed Jason Eddison involved in at least 13 handovers of packages suspected to be cocaine or cash. He was also seen meeting individuals in car parks and lay-bys and would drive significant distances in order to make exchanges before returning to Manchester.

The following men and women were sentenced at previous hearings:

Lee Shawcross, aged 22 of Morecambe Close, Manchester, was jailed in June 2016 for six years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.

David Mangham, aged 45 of Sowgate Lane, Pontefract was jailed in November 2017 for 18 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs following a trial.

Luke Bullock, aged 32 of Denby Bank, Marehay, Derbyshire was also jailed in November 2017 for 13 years following a trial for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Phillip Gasson, aged 35 of no fixed address was jailed in April 2017 for six years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Jason Eddison, aged 48 of Bridson Street in Salford, was jailed in November 2017 for eight years after admitting conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Ceri O'Hara, aged 36, of Wakefield Road, Pontefract was sentenced in November last year for five years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after pleading guilty.

Chrissie Elstob, aged 35 of Holmfield Close, Pontefract was also jailed in November 2017 for three years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after a trial.