The nineteenth member of a local drug ring has been jailed.

Ian Harris, of Pentland Road, Bushey, was originally arrested in April 2020 for his involvement in the supply of at least 17 kilos of cocaine in Watford, Bushey and the surrounding area.

He was tracked after officers began investigating in August 2019.

Encrypted chats through a phone app used by the criminals called EncroChat identified members and their plans.

The 50-year-old appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Monday (May 9) and was sentenced to 14 years and five months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Co-conspirators Scott Wells, Adam Mayling, Jason Walton-Whitelock, Philip Blackburne, Carl Walker and Ricky Green have already been sentenced for their involvement.

Overall, 19 people have received a combined total of 153 years in prison, with six people left to be dealt with by the courts

Detective Inspector Sarah Corr said: “Over the past two years we have made significant progress in shutting down drug supply networks, jailing criminals and seizing large amounts of cash and drugs.”