POLICE have hailed the success of a major crackdown on drugs in East Lancashire after three dealers were caged for a total of 10 years.

The dealers were the first to be sentenced following the two-day blitz on addresses in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Blackpool -- codenamed Operation Hurricane -- which took place in September.

More than 250 officers from across Lancashire Constabulary's six divisions took part in the dawn raids which police promised would change the face of Blackburn forever. A total of 29 people were charged with drugs offences involving Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.

The three sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday were Yasser Akram, 20, of Brantfell Road, Blackburn, who was caged in a young offender's institute for three years; Andrew Bleasdale, 32, of Blackburn Road, Accrington, who was jailed for three years 11 months and Steven Thurston, 33, of Winterdale Crescent, Blackburn, jailed for three years.

All three had pleaded guilty at Blackburn Magistrates' Court to offences of supplying or being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs to undercover police officers. Neil Standage, prosecuting, told the court: "In April and May Lancashire Constabulary carried out an operation to target street level supply of Class A drugs which involved the use of undercover officers to purchase heroin and crack cocaine from dealers."

He said that Akram had been caught supplying drugs to an undercover officer outside St John's Snooker Club, Clayton Street, Blackburn.

And Bleasdale and Thurston were caught supplying to officers in the town centre. Judge David Boulton said: "This was a massive operation in an attempt to stem the flow of Class A drugs in Blackburn which involved a great deal of resources. Although you were at the bottom end of the scale these were serious crimes." Det Chief Inspector Steve Hartley, who led Operation Hurricane, welcomed the sentences. He said: "These sentences reflect the seriousness of these offences and we will continue to target drug dealers with every tactic at our disposal.

"Hopefully this will send a message to drug dealers in the area that their activities will not be tolerated."