The newly appointed head of Coventry Police has vowed to crackdown on drug dealing in the city after detectives smashed a prominent drugs ring in the city.

Chief Superintendent Andy Nicholson – installed as the city's Police Commander in November – says there will be "no let up" in police efforts to catch and convict dealers, describing them as the "scourge of local communities".

According to Coverntry police, last year saw an undercover operation, codenamed Eliminate, during which officers infiltrated and brought down a major drugs supply operation.

It resulted in the arrest and charge of 37 offenders on charges ranging from drugs possession to supply and conspiracy to supply Class A substances.

Twenty-six of those are now behind bars after being sentenced to a total of almost 100 years imprisonment.

Some £10,000 in cash and £7,870 worth of Class A drugs were recovered during the operation – whilst police are pursuing a further £80,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Chief Supt Andy Nicholson, said: "These individuals were peddling drugs on the streets of Coventry or were connected to the mis-use of drugs. They believed they were above the law…many now have years behind bars now to reflect on that misplaced confidence.

"The communities of Coventry asked us to take action to prevent drugs being sold on our streets – we have done that and will continue to do that because drugs cause all kinds of misery, not least of all for those who are working hard to lead law abiding, safe and happy lives.

"Operation Eliminate has been an overwhelming success…these convictions will have a positive result on street-level drug dealing across the city."

The Operation was part of a West Midlands Police commitment to tackle drug dealing, improve the intelligence picture on individuals involved in drugs supply, and gathering evidence on organised crime groups involved in narcotics.

(DW/GK)