A drug dealer tried to “exploit the postal system” to supply his illegal goods across the UK using parcels stuffed with cocaine.
Westhoughton man James Bury, 39, was caught out by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) after an investigation was launched last autumn.
They discovered that he had sent four parcels full of cocaine after they were intercepted by Border Force authorities in Northern Ireland.
Detective Sergeant Jamie Illingworth, of the NWROCU operations team, said: “This investigation is an excellent example of multi-agency work.
“We want to thank Border Force, Police Service of North Ireland, and the Crown Prosecution Service for their support throughout this investigation.
“James Bury believed he could exploit the postal system to courier drugs across the UK.
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message, if you’re involved in the supply of Class A drugs, we will identify you, arrest you and bring you to justice.
“Drugs cause untold harm to our communities, and we remain committed to targeting those who profit from this misery.”
The NWROCU works to use specialist tactics to investigate serious drug-related crimes across the region.
The probe into the supply of illegal drugs via the UK postal network was launched back in October last year.
Detectives discovered Bury was the man who had sent four parcels stuffed with more than two kilograms of cocaine after they were intercepted by Northern Ireland border force authorities.
Bury was identified as the man who had sent the parcels.
As the investigation continued Bury was arrested at his Westhoughton home on December 19 last year.
Officers searched Bury’s home and searched a business premises in Burnley that appeared to have been linked to him.
As part of the searches, the officers seized extra amounts of Class A, Class B and Class C drugs that linked Bury to the supply operation.
Brought before Preston Crown Court, Bury, of Victoria Street, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.
At a further sentencing hearing earlier in June he was jailed for 10 years and six months.