THE man behind the import of a large amount of drugs into the North-East was jailed for 12 years yesterday.

Charles Moore was responsible for bringing cannabis with a street value of £300,000 from Holland last July. It was found in two vehicles being driven off a ferry at Hull by two men. Moore flew back to Teesside Airport.

Moore, 28, of Harris Street, Darlington, appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing for importing cigarettes on which duty had not been paid, importation of cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Judge Michael Taylor jailed Moore for 12 years and told him: "I am satisfied you were the main man in this part of the world behind the wholesale importation over a period of time of large quantities of cannabis."

Vincent Borda, 50, of Mill Close, Ravensworth, Richmond, admitted conspiracy to import cannabis, and John Hutchinson, 27, of Edward Street, Eston, near Redcar, was convicted of two offences of conspiracy to supply cannabis. Dale Portland, 24, of Danby Road, Eston, and Steven Henderson, 25, of Darnton Drive, Middlesbrough, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis. William Stevens, 22, of Louisa Street, Darlington, admitted importing cigarettes.

Borda was jailed for three years and Hutchinson 30 months. Henderson, Portland and Stevens were all ordered to perform 200 hours community service work and to pay £150 costs.

Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting, said the cannabis had been covered with a strong coffee to mask the smell.