A POLICE undercover operation has led to a Leigh drugs gang being jailed for more than 26 years.

Sentencing the gang at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Bryn Holloway praised the two undercover officers involved in Operation Windle which has led to a drop in crime in Leigh and Atherton since the gang’s arrest.

Jonathan Savage, prosecuting, said the defendants were involved in supplying heroin and cocaine in £10 deals to the officers and to other drug users.

Darren Edwards, aged 34, of Bevington, Ashton-in-Makerfield, and Steven Blackledge, aged 30, of Richmond Drive, Leigh were both jailed for four years after admitting drugs offences.

Mark Ashcroft, aged 39, of Chisworth Close, was jailed for four-and-a-half years; David Edge, aged 31, of Sandringham Avenue, Higher Folds, who admitted burglary as well as drugs offences, was jailed for three-and-a-half years; Karl Orrell, aged 41, of Chester Street, Leigh, received three years; Adam King, aged 23, of Blake Avenue, Atherton, who pleaded guilty to burglary as well as the drugs matters, was jailed for four years less three weeks.

Michael Johnson, aged 31, of Horrocks Street, Tyldesley, was jailed for 18 months; Michelle Warburton, aged 36, who lived with Edwards and Orrell’s partner Andrea Simm, aged 32, of Maple Crescent, Leigh, were each jailed for two-and-a-half years.