FOUR people were today due to be sentenced over their involvement in a major drug-dealing and money-laundering operation in East Lancashire.

During a seven-week hearing, Preston Crown Court heard that Harle Syke post office had been partially paid for by drug dealers to help launder profits from their dealing.

Azizul Wahab, 31, of Clive Street, Burnley, and Joseph Cromer, 29, of Clee Road, Scunthorpe, were found guilty of conspiring to supply heroin.

Wahab was also convicted on a money laundering charge.

Anthony Dewhurst, 28, of Russell Street, and Roy Crossley, 21, of Albion Street, both Nelson, had previously admitted supplying the drug.

They were among people arrested in August, 1998, in dawn raids by police in the Burnley and Nelson areas when drugs and property valued at £240,000 was seized by police.

Preston Crown Court heard that Dewhurst operated a business marketing heroin in Leeds Road, Nelson, with Crossley acting as his runner making deliveries and collections on a bicycle.

Dewhurst was supplied with his heroin by Wahab, known in the drug world as Anton, while Cromer was buying heroin in Pendle and playing his part distributing it on the other side of the Pennines.

So much cash was generated that part of it was used towards the purchase of Harle Syke post office the jury was told.