A DRUGS gang which supplied more than a million pounds worth of cocaine to the South West have been jailed for a total of more than 90 years.

Shaun Battle, 41, of the Down in Bere Alston, and Stephen Procter, 39, of Plymouth were the main links in the South West and received sentences of 12 years and nine years respectively.

During the 11-week trial the jury at Exeter Crown Court heard about how their ill-gotten gains had been turned into sports cars, speedboats, English mansions and holiday homes.

Amid tight security, with armed police officers looking on in the courtroom, Timothy Eastgate, 31, Paul Flisher, 38, James Wright, 28, Christopher Leader, 54, Procter, Battle and Dean Birch 26, were jailed for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Prosecutors had told the court that Battle, a builder, laundered his earnings by buying properties, doing them up and selling them on at a profit.

Following the sentencing hearing, lead investigator Jim Hinchcliffe said: 'This has been a very complex case and a reactive investigation. The long sentences reflect the enormity of this drug supply enterprise and should act as a warning to others who are considering a similar criminal path.

'The work has not ended here as we will now focus on successfully seizing the money and assets of these criminals.'