THREE men have been jailed for bringing thousands of pounds worth of class A drugs into the city.

A gang of five friends, all with ties to Southampton, conspired to bring cocaine and heroin to Thornhill from Essex, supplying to dozens of users throughout the area.

Suen Davies, who was described by the prosecution at Southampton Crown Court as having a leading role, was handed a seven-year term of imprisonment and fellow "significant" players Karl Burnett and Samuel Olayini got five years each.

The court heard that police believed the total amount which was sent to the city was in excess of £30,000 - but predicted the amount could have potentially been worth up to £1.25m, a figure vehemently disputed by each defendant's barrister in the hearing.

In one raid, officers recovered over a thousand wraps of cocaine and heroin which had a street value of more than £6,500. Over £10,000 in cash was also recovered.

Their convictions follows an investigation into an organised crime group bringing drugs in from outside the county, led by Hampshire Constabulary with support from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

The court was told that the conspiracy ran for approximately 150 days and that they were assisted by Lewis Kelly and Darryl Thomson.

Richard Onslow, mitigating for Burnett, said his client's involvement was found after he breached a restraining order made to protect his partner.

He added: "He has learnt a bitter less and he will have plenty of time to think about it."

Following the hearing Detective Inspector Andrew Symes, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "We are extremely pleased that the activities of this organised criminal gang have been disrupted.

"This drug network had been operating in Thornhill for some time and we targeted these individuals because of the harm they were causing to the local community.

"This case shows our commitment to identifying and tacking these organised groups.

"Through our Fortress campaign, we work with partners to reduce drug-related harm by restricting supply and providing support to those people on the periphery of the drugs trade."

Davies, 25, of Cowper Avenue, Tilbury, Essex pleaded guilty to acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, conspiring to supply crack cocaine conspiring to supply heroin and perverting the course of justice, and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Burnett, 26, of NFA, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply crack cocaine and conspiring to supply heroin and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Olayini, 28, of Mount Pleasant Road, Romford, Essex pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply crack cocaine, conspiring to supply heroin and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to five years in prison.

Thomson, 29, of Hinkler Road, Southampton pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply crack cocaine and conspiring to supply heroin. He was sentenced to 22 months, suspended for two years with a four month curfew.

Kelly, 27, of Rostron Close, West End pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to six months, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours of community work.