Nine men and a woman – seven of whom are from South Yorkshire – were jailed for up to 17 years each after police from five forces smashed the drugs ring.

The gang supplied wholesale quantities of cocaine, speed and cannabis to cities in the north of England while the ringleaders enjoyed lavish lifestyles.

Jailing them, Judge Patrick Robertshaw said it was important society enjoyed a "substantial respite" from their "odious activities".

Sheffield Crown Court heard the ring was smashed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and police from South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Northumbria.

The gang set up a sophisticated network which prepared, stored and supplied drugs.

Officers seized 42kg of skunk cannabis, 159kg of cannabis resin, 17kg of cocaine and 90kg of amphetamine, with a total street value of tens of millions of pounds.

Ringleaders John Newell, aged 36, of Townwells Road, North Anston, and David Bunn, aged 41, of Pickard Crescent, Richmond, Sheffield, enjoyed a lavish lifestyle on the proceeds.

Newell was jailed for 17 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Bunn was jailed for 15-and-a-half years after admitting the same charges and an additional count of money laundering.

Lieutenant Mark Burbidge, 37, of Pottery Lane East, Chesterfield, was jailed for 13 years and three months for possession with intent to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possessing a gun.

Paul Williams, 48, of Bawtry Road, Brinsworth, Rotherham, was caged for four years after admitting possessing amphetamine.

Newell's brother Stephen, 29, of Grange Road, Moorgate, Rotherham, was jailed for four years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Ian Blaver, 34, of Springbank Close, Carlton, Barnsley, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Karen Ball, 35, of March Flatts Road, Thrybergh, Rotherham, was jailed for four years and three months for conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.

Gary Johnson, 31, from Lincolnshire, and Dean Smith, 26, of Lincoln, were jailed for four and three-and-a-half years respectively. And Martin Simon, 42, of Liverpool, was jailed for three years and four months.