A GROUP of 11 men, including four from Stroud, have been jailed for a combined total of 69 years for their involvement in a high value drugs conspiracy following a complex investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary.

The investigation, run by the Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), saw the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine with evidence of a further 24kg with an estimated value of £1,000,000 being obtained as well as £100,000 in cash.

Officers believed that the organised crime group responsible for the conspiracy was being led by 34-year-old Andrew Venna of Partridge Close in Gloucester and supported by 34-year-old Matthew Cornwall of Discovery Road in Gloucester.

Venna was sentenced to 12 years and nine months, including another sentence of nine years which will run concurrently and Cornwall was sentenced to 10 years, including another two sentences of 8 years and 9 years which will also run concurrently.

The conspiracy involved London men 39-year-old Granit Nanushi and 28-year-old Orsid Cela, who were sentenced to eight years and three years respectively for co-ordinating the supply of the drugs to Venna and Cornwall.

It's believed that the drugs were then sold to Stroud based Aaron Baker, 31 and of The Bridle who would store and distribute the drugs to a small number of men. He was sentenced to seven years and three months.

Daniel Payne, 22 and of Moseley Crescent in Stroud, James Dawkins, 39 and of Butterrow Hill in Stroud, Ryan Reese, 24 and of Finlay Road in Gloucester and Paul Reeves, 28 and of Lodgemore Lane in Stroud were sentenced after pleading guilty to receiving the drugs before selling them locally.

They received sentences of three years and six months, six years and nine months, one year and nine months and four years respectively.

Leroy Slater, 39 and of Wellington Street in Gloucester was sentenced to nine years and two months after 1/4 kilograms of cocaine were found on his possession last year and Edward Bell, 44 and of Badminton Road in Gloucester was sentenced to three years after being found to be the drug tester of the group.

Detective Inspector Ian Fletcher said: “I hope that these sentences will send out an extremely strong message to anyone who plans on committing similar offences and that people will now understand that we take serious and organised crime very seriously.

“As the judge commented, the supply of class A drugs does have a high reward but it also has a very high risk at the end of it.

“We would like to remind drug dealers that you are not untouchable or above the law as we, the police, will gather the evidence that we need to secure a conviction”.

A force spokesman said: "Operation Solero sought to develop intelligence around Serious and Organised Crimes Groups operating in Gloucestershire; to disrupt this activity and to obtain successful prosecutions for offenders linked to the identified criminality.

"This work links to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priorities of protecting our most vulnerable members of society and keeping the communities of Gloucestershire safe from harm.

"A sawn off shotgun was recovered in a garage block connected to the OCG.

"We were not able to link this to any of the men and anyone with information regarding the use or ownership of the firearm is asked to contact police by calling 101 or using the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111."