A total of 17 drug menaces, fourteen adults and three youths, were punished at Chester Crown Court on April 5 and 6 after being arrested in dawn raids in Northwich, Winsford, Merseyside and Crewe in October last year.

A further two offenders are awaiting sentencing.

Det Insp Andy Southcott, of Cheshire Constabulary, the officer in charge of the swoop, said: "We're very happy with the sentences that have been dished out by the court. They highlight the dim view taken by the court of drugs offenders.

"They should deliver a clear message to others that we will catch them and they will end up in jail."

He added: "This operation is not over. It has been hugely successful so far and we'll strive to ensure it continues to deliver results."

Operation Clean Sweep was designed to stop the supply of hard drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine and consequently reduce the amount of crime resulting from the drugs culture.

Det Insp Southcott said: "We saw the effect of operation Clean Sweep straight away because it is now a lot harder to get hold of drugs like heroin. I was especially pleased to see the convictions of people from Liverpool because it sends out the message that we are not a soft touch."

Months of careful planning went into the operation, the cost of which is expected to exceed £100,000 and is the biggest operation of its kind to be carried out in the borough.

Det Insp Southcott added: "The next operation to build on the success of Operation Clean Sweep is already being planned."

THE sentences passed by the court include:

David Hill, 35, Siddorn Street, Winsford, three-and-a-half years for supplying Class A drugs

Dorothy Flood, 27, Saxon Crossway, Winsford, one year for being concerned in Class A drugs

Kelly Harrison, 27, Woodford Lane, Winsford, one year for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs

Francis Crawford, 36, Winsford, three-and-a-half years for supplying Class A drugs

David Barton, 45, Basford Way, Winsford, one-and-a-half years for supplying Class A drugs

Damien John Harmon, 23, Northwich, two years for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs

Christopher Killeen, 19, Trouville Road, Anfield, Liverpool, four years for supplying Class A drugs

Stuart David Hatton, 26, Basford Way, Winsford, four years for supplying Class A drugs

Keith Ennis, 24, King George Avenue, Northwich, two-and-a-half years for being concerned in Class A drugs

Lee Eccles, 29, East Avenue, Northwich, two-and-a-half years for being concerned in Class A drugs

David Brown, 19, Walton Village, Liverpool, four-and-a-half years for supplying Class A drugs

Andrew Pacey, 26, Willow Green, Weaverham, one-and-half years for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs

Stephen Grant, 24, Davidson Road, Old Swan, Liverpool, four-and-a-half years for supplying Class A drugs

Katie Oakes, 21, Clarence Street, Liverpool, 27 months for supplying Class A drugs

Three youths also received three-year sentences for supplying Class A drugs

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk