A JUDGE delivered a stark message to drug dealers in Bishop Auckland on Monday as he jailed three men for supplying heroin.

Durham Crown Court heard how Michael Graham, 25, played the lead role in the operation supplying heroin deals, mainly from a caravan parked outside his home in St Cuthbert's Walk in Bishop Auckland.

He was jailed for four years after his 'runners,' 33-year-old Wayne Ellison, and Craig Bennett, 19, also admitted conspiracy to supply heroin.

Sentencing the gang, Judge Maurice Carr said: "Can I make it clear that because of the significant problem Bishop Auckland has, largely relating to heroin, the sentences specifically with regard to offences of this type in Bishop Auckland will be much higher in the future."

The men were arrested in December last year following months of hard work by police under Operation Bull's-Eye. Nine other people from Bishop Auckland have also been charged as a result with eight receiving sentences totalling 16 years.

After the case, Det Insp Ted Edgar, said: "I certainly think by highlighting his concerns the judge has delivered a serious message which those inclined to deal in controlled drugs should listen to very carefully.

"We are aware that there are still amounts of controlled drugs within Bishop Auckland and we shall continue to be active with regards to that."

Ellison, of St Cuthbert's Walk, also admitted burglary of a house in the same street in which more than £1,000 was taken, three shoplifting offences and driving while disqualified. He was jailed for three years and nine months.

Bennett, of Ashcroft Gardens, Bishop Auckland, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 27 months.

The court heard much of their trade was through orders made by mobile phone and they had been involved in the 'busy' supply of heroin in the town for more than 12 months.

Police stopped a car containing the trio and another man in Harrogate after they had been on a trip to Bradford to make a sample heroin purchase.

Operation Bull's-Eye has operated across six police divisions and has resulted in more than 150 drugs dealers, car thieves, burglars and shoplifters being arrested.