A DRUGS gang who peddled heroin and crack cocaine in Malvern have been jailed.

Following an investigation by West Mercia Police, four men pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs and were sentenced on Thursday at Birmingham Crown Court.

The gang were arrested following raids on properties in Malvern and Birmingham in December 2015 as part of Operation Toledo when significant quantities of Class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, were seized.

Neil Bozward, 45 from Duke of Edinburgh Way, Malvern was sentenced to three years and five months encompassed in a sentence he has received for inciting child prostitution and aiding and abetting rape.

He will serve a total sentence of 23 years.

Shane Jonas, aged 20 from Beaconview Road, West Bromwich was sentenced to five years and seven months whilst Kiyan Jones, 19, from Shenstone Road in Edgbaston was sentenced to six years and nine months.

Elliott Whittock, 21, currently of HM Prison Dovegate was sentenced to five years and three months.

Operation Toledo is a West Mercia Police investigation into an organised crime group responsible for supplying Class A drugs from the West Midlands into Malvern.

These convictions follow the sentencing last month of four men and two boys to 18 years in prison for conspiracy to supply drugs in the Malvern area, using a separate supply route into Malvern.

Detective chief inspector Carl Moore said: "We are pleased with this result which is the culmination of many months of investigation, working with colleagues across our region to tackle the problem of serious organised crime.

"Despite the offenders pleading guilty at a late stage, they were sentenced to significant terms of imprisonment for their cynical crimes.

"The main players Kiyan Jones and Shane Jonas who controlled the network were not themselves addicted and cared nothing for the misery of the users and the victims of those users' crimes.

"West Mercia detectives and colleagues from neighbouring police forces worked together on this investigation as part of a national approach to tackling 'County Lines' crime whereby gangs travel from a large urban area to smaller locations to sell drugs.

"Thanks to the diligence of officers and other investigating staff as well as the support and cooperation of the local community, we have been able to reduce the availability of drugs in Malvern.

"I hope that this successful prosecution will encourage others who may have information regarding organised crime to come forward."

Anyone with information about a crime call West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org