A ROSSENDALE man involved in distributing drugs worth £8.5million across East Lancashire and the UK has been jailed for nine years.

Christopher Watson, 30, of Heys Close, Rawtenstall, was jailed after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

Watson had been due to be sentenced with Derek Fletcher, 42, of Waterside Road, Summerseat, Ramsbottom, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import controlled drugs, but he failed to attend court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Both had been arrested as part of an investigation by the National Crime Squad, the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and Fife Constabulary Drug Squad.

Preston Crown Court heard that throughout May and June 2004, a number of drug distribution and delivery runs were made to Scotland by couriers driving hire vehicles on the instructions of Watson.

And the court was told that in September 2004 Watson drove a Ford Focus from Bacup to West Houghton, where he approached a Porsche parked nearby and got into the passenger seat, moments later getting out carrying a plastic bag.

He then drove to the Whalley Range area of Blackburn where he met up with a group of men, one of whom got into the rear of the Ford.

Watson handed the man a carrier bag who passed it out of the window to a young boy who ran off with it. The vehicle was stopped a short time later by police and one kilo of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than £50,000, was found in a compartment below a rear seat.

The court also heard how, in April 2004, lorry driver Fletcher travelled to Turin, northern Italy, in a HGV on a legitimate journey to collect car parts destined for the UK market.

But, on his return route, he disconnected the satellite tracking system on the vehicle in an attempt to cover his movements.

When he arrived back at Dover port on the ferry from Calais he was stopped and the vehicle searched. Inside was found 750 kilos of cannabis resin, 45 kilos of amphetamine and 10 kilos of cannabis in its herbal form - worth £2.5m on the streets. The tachograph system revealed the vehicle had travelled off route to an industrial area in Breckens, South Holland.

A National Crime Squad spokesman today said: "The drugs seized in this investigation were planned for large- scale distribution and Watson's sentencing reflects the seriousness of this case. The total estimated street value of all the controlled drugs seized during this operation is approximately £8.5million.

"Watson is now where he rightfully belongs - behind bars - and the drugs have been stopped from hitting the streets and causing untold harm to our communities."

Duncan Birrell, special casework lawyer for Lancashire Crown Prosecution Service, added: "I am obviously pleased with the successful prosecution of this man who has been a significant target for the sale and distribution of drugs in Burnley."