A drugs gang from Wigan have been jailed for 70 years after being convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering after they used ice cream parlours as part of their illegal activities.

The trial, which ran for three months, took place at Bolton Crown Court.

Police raided the homes of Paul Witter, 43, his wife Jane Witter, 38, Marc Talbot, 50, his brother Michael Talbot, 42, and Marc’s son Cameron Talbot, 24 after carrying out surveillance as part of Operation Trinket.

Officers seized drugs, cash, mobiles and assets including clothing, jewellery and cash showing the lifestyles the group enjoyed.

Later three further suspects Paul Whittaker, 55, Thomas Tither, 64 and David Barnes, 48, were later arrested.

Members of the group registers themselves as limited companies including WTR Sheds and Mikey’s Stweet Dreams’ Ice Cream parlour and Botatelli’s Ice Cream.

Paul Witter and Marc Talbot had already pleaded guilty to both conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering at an early stage as well as Jane Witter, who pleaded guilty to money laundering.

The others were convicted at trial and they were sentenced to a combined 70 years in prison.

Paul Witter, of Trinity Gardens, Ashton-in-Makerfield, seven years to be served consecutively with a 12-year sentence he has already received; Jane Witter, of Trinity Gardens, Ashton-in-Makerfield, one year and nine months suspended for two years; Marc Talbot, of Kilburn Avenue, Wigan, seven years to be served consecutively with a 10-year sentence he has already received; Michael Talbot, of Hamilton Road, Garswood, four years and six months imprisonment; Cameron Talbot of Langolm Road, Garswood, six years imprisonment; Paul Whittaker, of Moxon Way, Ashton-in-Makerfield, 13 years imprisonment; Thomas Tither, of Ince Green Lane, Wigan, six years imprisonment; David Barnes, of Tenbury Drive, Ashton-in-Makerfield, four years and six months.