THE wave of arrests under Operation Tide "was the largest such policing operation in our history", says a North Wales Police chief.

Following the sentencing of all 18 people, detective inspector Lee Boycott, serious and organised crime unit, said: "Today is the culmination of a complex drugs investigation, and I welcome the sentences handed down from His Honour Judge Nicolas Parry.

"Operation Tide has been a classic case of urban to rural drug dealing using the County Lines method.

"The once mysterious County Lines drug dealing gangs are now widely understood, but none the less the data obtained and analysed in this case was vast.

"The operation to launch our waves of arrests in September of last year was the largest such policing operation in our history.

"This drugs group was targeted by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit due to their propensity for violence, in order to help us achieve our vision of making North Wales the safest place in the UK.

"We have long known about the associated violence centred around drug dealing. The particular violent tendencies of this group headed by Colin Jones were fully described to the court during the trial proceedings.

"Similar investigations continue and I would urge those involved in drug dealing to understand we have the ability and appetite to pursue your activities all over North Wales and even across borders into Liverpool, or further afield if necessary.

"Ten of the 18 defendants in this case are from Liverpool, but chose to deal drugs into North Wales and so became the focus of our attention. As the drug dealing is not confined by boundaries neither are our investigations.

"This investigation does not conclude at these significant prison sentences today. We will now pursue Court Orders against the ring leaders to place conditions on their lifestyles upon their ultimate release, which will start many years from now. We will also forensically examine the financial affairs of those convicted, to ensure the proceeds from the drug dealing, cash or assets, are re-paid to the public purse.

"I would like to sincerely thank our partners over in Merseyside Police Matrix, Police Scotland, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the Complex Case Unit in Cardiff for their assistance in this truly national conspiracy, which spanned from Liverpool to Scotland and Devon and into North Wales.

"I would equally like to reassure our communities that with your co-operation we will not tolerate violent drug dealing by Organised Criminal Gangs, and Safer Neighbourhoods remains high on our priorities.

"Finally, I would urge anyone with information around drug dealing in our communities to contact us, or alternatively speak anonymously to Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111."