DRUG dealers caught as part of a crackdown in Cambridgeshire have been jailed for a total of more than 70 years.

Twenty-six people were sentenced this week at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty to drugs offences.

Most of those jailed were arrested on Monday, June 6, when police executed warrants at properties across Peterborough as part of Operation Riptide.

Other suspects were brought from HMP Peterborough or arrested in the street and a total of about 80 police officers were involved.

Op Riptide was run by police and partner agencies to tackle the supply of drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin, and associated crime and anti-social behaviour.

It was launched in November last year in response to intelligence that dealers from outside the city, particularly London, were attempting to sell in Peterborough and committing violent crime within criminal circles.

Police and other SaferPeterborough partner agencies are continuing to tackle drug dealing in the city through Operation Steam to make sure others do not take the place of those prosecuted.

Det Chief Insp Jon Hutchinson said: “The results over the past two days reinforce the message we have given since the start of Op Riptide: if you deal drugs in Peterborough you will be arrested, put before the courts and given a significant jail term.

“Drugs will not be tolerated in Peterborough and we, and our partner agencies, will keep doing everything in our power to prevent them being sold on the city’s streets.

“We would also ask members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activity in their neighbourhood. The information we receive from residents is crucial and we don’t mind if the activity turns out to be lawful.”

DCI Hutchinson also stressed the importance of work by SaferPeterborough agencies to get people off drugs.

He said: “Alongside the enforcement activity, agencies are also working hard to reduce demand by supporting people who want to get off drugs. It is important to engage with drug users because they drive the market which fuels other crimes and anti-social behaviour.

Karen Kibblewhite, SaferPeterborough manager for cutting crime, said: “These court results demonstrate that drug dealing has no place on the streets of Peterborough.

“If you supply drugs to others you are likely to be caught and given a lengthy sentence.

“As partnership we also continue to work hard to support drug users to access treatment services.

“We aim to reduce the supply and availability of drugs in our city and help those who are already using drugs to successfully recover.”