Derby Crown Court heard how members of the gang were caught with hundreds of ecstasy and amphetamine tablets – including large blocks of cocaine – during raids by Derbyshire police.

The six offenders – including Chesterfield men Paul White and Thomas Hurst, and David Booth from Matlock – all received lengthy prison sentences on Friday after being convicted of drugs' offences following a trial at Derby Crown Court.

Judge John Burgess said: "The profits from the sale of illicit drugs and the trade of drugs can be enormous and this sentencing should deter those who consider such offences worth the risk."

Booth (43), of Meadow Croft, Upper Lumsdale, Matlock, was convicted of conspiracy to supply ecstasy and amphetamines and received a 12-year prison sentence.

White (49), of Wharton Drive, Chesterfield, was convicted of conspiracy to supply ecstasy and possessing cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis and a stun-gun. He received a three-and-half year sentence.

Hurst (21) of Prospect Road, Old Whittington, was convicted of conspiring to supply ecstasy and two counts of supplying amphetamines and possessing ammunition and was sentenced to three-and-half-years in prison.

Mark Coyle (44) of Luna Croft, Sheffield, was convicted of conspiracy to supply ecstasy and amphetamines and received ten years' custody.

Mohamed Azim (52) of Aspley Park Drive, Aspley, Nottingham, was convicted of conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and received a 13-year sentence.

Charles Furbrough (38) of Park Road, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, was convicted of conspiracy to supply ecstasy and sentenced to three years' custody.

The court heard how there were two major drug seizures including 985 ecstasy tablets and a kilo of cocaine – worth £1,000 – and that Booth and Coyle were involved in supplying up to 1,000 tablets at a time.

Judge Burgess said Coyle, Booth and Azim were main players and most deeply involved in supplying drugs while, at the lower end, White was a small-scale retailer and Hurst had been a courier.