FOUR men have been sentenced for more than 15 years in total for supplying class A drugs into Lancashire.

Between August and October last year, the gang travelled from Manchester to Preston on a daily basis delivering heroin and crack cocaine.

The type of crime, county lines, is used by organised crime groups to distribute drus to areas of the country where they are not as readily available.

Abrar Ahmed, 24, of Kingsway, Manchester, Yasir Ali, 22, of Meade Grove, Manchester, Shavon Morrison, 21, of Claremont Road, Manchester and Richard Mushonga 21, of Medway Close, Salford, were convicted at Preston Crown Court.

Police became aware of the group’s activity and launched Operation New Era.

Officers conducted a number of searches, executing warrants in Preston and seizing drugs.

All four men were arrested and charged with conspiring to supply class A drugs.

The men pleaded guilty with Ahmed jailed for five years, Ali imprisoned for four years eight months, with Morrison and Mushonga each sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

Det Insp Roger Ashcroft said: “As soon as we were aware of this county lines operation targeting vulnerable drug users in Preston we were determined to bring the gang to justice and we are grateful to those who provided us with information leading to their arrest.

“We hope this serves as a warning to anyone entering Lancashire with the intent to supply drugs in our community – we will find them and ensure they are punished accordingly.”