Prison for brothers who ran £5m drugs empire

Two brothers who led a criminal gang involved in drug smuggling and money laundering which led authorities to recover "enough money to make the jaws of the average citizen drop" were each sentenced to 14 years in prison today.

A judge told Cavan Hanna, 39, and his brother Jamie, 37, that they were "at the heart of the conspiracy" which saw the large-scale distribution of ecstasy and amphetamines and laundering of the proceeds of crime, resulting in more than £5million cash being seized by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).

The gang, who operated in north Kent and south-east London, had pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and money-laundering.

Sentencing the pair along with five of their accomplices at Maidstone crown court, Judge Philip Statman said: "I am satisfied that Soca has been responsible for taking out a large money-laundering business which flourished primarily from laundering the proceeds of controlled drugs.

"This was big business. Big risks for big gains, tax free. Enough money to make the jaws of the average citizen drop."