THREE men have been jailed for a total of 22 years following a police raid that led to the discovery of a large drugs factory in Warrington.

The home in Greenings Court, off Battersby Lane, contained 4kg of heroin and 1.1kg of cocaine with a total street value of between £270,000 and £375,000 when officers raided it.

Scales, mixing bowls and 9kg of adulterants were also seized.

Today, Friday, the three men from St Helens were sentenced to a total of 22 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The men, in their 20s and 30s, appeared at Chester Crown Court.

Jonathan Anthony Griffin, 28, of Ivy Avenue, Newton-le-Willows, was jailed for eight years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

Darren Winstanley, 31, of Kendal Drive, was jailed for six years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Mark Anthony Wood, 33, of Elephant Lane, was jailed for six years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

Officers also found a large quantity of drugs at an address on Dean Meadow, Newton-le-Willows on 17 December 2014.

A total of 928g of heroin, 397.85g of cocaine and 1.9kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of between £114,279 and £170,543 was seized. Also recovered from the property was a large metal press, electronic scale, mixing bowls and more than 13kgs of powders used to bulk out drugs.

Detective Sergeant Chris Lowe said: "This conspiracy involved the mixing of drugs in Merseyside and Cheshire for supply across the region.

"This group have blighted communities in Merseyside and beyond, profiting heavily from the sales of drugs.

"Merseyside Police is committed to targeting those who are involved in serious and organised crime. The clear message today is that if you are involved in the supply of illegal drugs, you will be arrested and put before the courts.

"I hope these sentences serve as a deterrent to anyone thinking of becoming involved in the supply of drugs."