SEVEN men who supplied heroin throughout Black-burn have been jailed for a total of 18 years six months.

All seven men were sentenced yesterday at Preston Crown Court for various drug supply offences.

It follows a series of high- profile raids as part of Operation Nimrod in February and March this year.

Officers raided a total of 28 addresses in Blackburn after the men were all caught selling drugs to undercover officers in Blackburn.

As a result of these latest Nimrod strikes, 15 men have been jailed for over 34 years.

Those sentenced yesterday were: Lee Suddick, 28, of Hereford Road, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to six counts of supplying heroin on 26 May at Preston Crown Court – jailed for two years six months.

Joseph Fox, 43, of Worcester Road, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to three counts of supp-lying heroin on May 26 at Preston Crown Court – jailed for two years six months.

Michael Marsden, 26, of Worcester Road, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying heroin on May 26 at Preston Crown Court – jailed for three years.

David Yates, 25, of Skye Crescent, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to six counts of supplying heroin on 26 May at Preston Crown Court – jailed for two years six months. Stewart Currie, 24, of Holmbrook Close, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to one count of supplying heroin and one count of being concerned in the supply of heroin – adjourned until July 27.

Andrew Johnstone, 29, of Rawstorne Street, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying crack cocaine on May 26 at Preston Crown Court – jailed for two years.

Graeme Walker, 27, of Fair Hope Court, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying a class a drug on May 26 at Preston Crown Court – jailed for three years.

Steven Garbett, 25, of Monmouth Road, Blackburn, who pleaded guilty to 11 counts of supplying heroin – jailed for three years.

Detective Inspector Neil Ashton said: “This case highlights that the police together with the communities of Blackburn refuse to tolerate those who choose to break the law by selling drugs on the streets.”