TWO men have been jailed for a total of nine years for their part in a conspiracy to supply more than £250,000 worth of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.

Jonathon Moorby, 34, of Pembroke Drive, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, and Allan Blakemore, 44, of Heather Close, Stockton, were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court after previously admitting a string of drug related offences.

Stephen Duffield, prosecuting, said that in October 2003, detectives saw Moorby exchanging packages with two men in a car park in Darlington.

They tracked him to his Ingleby Barwick home and found 50kg of cannabis in his VW Golf.

Inquiries then led police to Blakemore's home where they found a holdall containing 16,000 ecstasy tablets, 447g of cocaine and a quantity of amphetamine hidden in his loft.

Together, both finds had a total street value of £252,849.

The court heard Blakemore had money troubles and had accepted £40 a week to keep the holdall for Moorby. It was accepted that Moorby duped Blakemore, who thought there was only cannabis in the holdall.

Moorby was jailed for seven years by Judge Peter Bowers after he admitted conspiracy to supply together with others ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamine and admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon - an extendable baton - and a weapon designed for the discharge of a noxious gas.

Blakemore was jailed for two years after admitting three charges of possessing ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamine with intent to supply.

Police welcomed the sentences and revealed that they would be attempting to recover the financial proceeds from the crimes.

Afterwards acting Detective Sergeant Jim Walton, of the Stockton Drugs Squad, said: "Criminals supplying controlled drugs such as these must learn to accept that they will be pursued, arrested, charged and given custodial sentences which reflect the damage they do to society."