THE leader of a county lines gang targeted by police after a spate of drug-related deaths in Barrow has been jailed for nine years.

South Londoner Michael Emeofa, 22, headed a network which flooded Barrow with heroin and crack cocaine between March 2018 and January 2019.

Among his recruits were two 17-year-old boys and two 15-year-old boys, one of whom had been reported missing from local authority accommodation in London.

Emeofa was one of 33 people convicted as part of Operation Horizon, with sentences totalling over 100 years between them.

The operation targeted three county lines groups in an effort to crackdown on those bringing drugs into the county.

Horizon one followed on from Operation Titanic, when it became apparent that Emeofa took over the Barrow drug market.

During investigations it was discovered that he was responsible for the county lines named BARRY and ABLE.

A criminal network was set up that included drivers responsible for bringing people and drugs to Barrow from London and the West Midlands.

There was also a number of street dealers in Barrow who provided a base for their operations.

After police discovered a property in the West Midlands was being used as a hub for the movement of street dealers and where the drugs would be prepared for onward supply, it was discovered that the address was also being used for the BEST line used Staffordshire, and the ALADDIN lines that ran in Leicestershire.

Over a period of eight months Cumbria Police, working alongside the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to build strong evidence against the suspects.

This led to 20 people being charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs over a nine month period.

Over £10,000 was recovered along with £20,000 worth of class A drugs.

Horizon two 's aim was to target those who facilitated the onward supply of drugs to Barrow.

Undercover officers were deployed to identify them and purchase drugs from them.

Over a period of several months, Cumbria Police identified 13 people who were subsequently charged, that were street dealers in their own right or working for organised crime groups.

Horizon three saw operation investigations reveal two teenagers trafficked to Barrow.

Officers were in Egerton Court when they became suspicious of two teenagers, later identified as the victims of trafficking. Arrests made were subsequently connected to evidence gathered by Operation Horizon resulting in three people being charged. This led to convictions in connection with modern day slavery.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “These prosecutions are a great accolade for the professionalism and effectiveness of our police who will continue to bear down on anyone involved in drug dealing. As a society we need to do more to try and address the reasons people use illegal drugs and as individuals we can all help the police by reporting any suspicious activity – the police cannot act without information."