A TOP detective praised his officers for their work in smashing a £1m drug gang's "crime empire" intent on flooding South Wales with cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Webber, who led two undercover operations codenamed Othello and Montana, said his team's "tireless professionalism" led to the conviction of five gang members.

At Newport crown court yesterday three men Hywel Wyn Evans, 46, of Danygraig Road, Risca, Danny Schafer, 38, of Romford, Essex, and William Avery, 49, of Wharf Road, Maindee, Newport, were jailed by Judge David Morris for a total of 19 years.

Evans was jailed for six years after admitting conspiring to supply cocaine and conspiring to handle stolen goods.

Avery was also imprisoned for six years after admitting conspiring to supply cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis and possessing a prohibited weapon, a stun gun.

Schafer was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis and conspiring to handle stolen goods.

'Courier' Jason Rogers, 32, of Swallow Way, Duffryn, Newport, had his sentence deferred for six months, after a jury convicted him of conspiring to supply amphetamine and cannabis. He admitted possessing a stun gun.

Robert Power, 37, of Blossom Close, Langstone, was given a community punishment order of 200 hours for conspiring to supply amphetamine and cannabis.

After the hearing DCI Webber said he was "disappointed" with the sentence given to Hywel Wyn Evans " a key player who headed a multi-million pounds drugs operation." He added: "But they were on the whole quite strong sentences."

Covert operations involving surveillance work gave detectives an insight into a complex criminal network taking delivery of drugs from London and the Home Counties.

The five men were arrested after a major drugs bust seized drugs worth more than £1m.

DCI Webber said: "I'm proud of team for the professionalism that went with the investigation. I want to commend my officers who worked tirelessly for over 12 months to dismantle this gang."

At its height, over 40 officers worked on the case. Attempts will now be made under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover "a substantial amount of money" that the gang made.

DCI Webber said the seizure of so many drugs "averted the potential of many deaths" on the streets of Gwent.