INFORMATION provided by members of the public has helped convict ten people of offences linked to county lines drug dealing in Yeovil.

Following a two-and-half-year police investigation, nine people have been sentenced to a total of more than 24 years in prison, while a tenth will be sentenced early next year.

The drug-dealing operation saw cocaine and heroin taken brought into Yeovil from London – with the homes of drug users and vulnerable people used as bases to deal the drugs from.

Investigating officer DC Paul Cobb said: "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation into drug-dealing in Yeovil which would not have been possible without the help and support of the local community, who made the initial reports and provided us with further information and images.

"We’re pleased this county lines operation has been dismantled and we’ve been able to thwart the supply of class A drugs into Yeovil.

"We know our battle against the supply of illegal drugs into our communities continues, but I hope this united approach between the police and local residents shows offenders their illicit activities are wholly unwelcome in Avon and Somerset and will never be tolerated."

The following people have been convicted:

*Mohammed Yussuf, 20, of Hackney in London – jailed for three years and nine months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine (photo – top left).

*Jack Doherty, 21, of no fixed address but from London – jailed for five years and three months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine (photo top centre).

*Serkan Ozcan, 21, of Hackney in London – convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and due to be sentenced in February (photo top right).

*Rushwan Richards, 20, of Enfield in London – given an 18-month suspended prison sentence after being convicted of being concerned in the supply of heroin.

*James McGuinness, 23, of Ilminster – jailed for six years and three months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine (photo bottom left)

*Daniel Hockley, 34, of Mere, Wiltshire – jailed for 30 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine (photo bottom centre).

*Maxine McCullough, 41, of Crewkerne – given an eight-month suspended sentence for allowing a premises to be used to supply heroin and cocaine.

*Sarah Semple-Lauchlan, 33, of no fixed address but from Yeovil – jailed for three years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and a separate drug supply offence (photo bottom right).

*Layla Webb, 35, of Stapleton, Bristol – given a nine-month suspended jail sentence for allowing a premises to be used to supply heroin and cocaine.

*Jonathan Bell, 48, formerly of The Cross, Ilminster – given a 12-month community order and ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work for allowing a premises to be used to supply heroin and cocaine.