30 October 2012 Last updated at 15:00 ET

Highlands gang jailed for drug dealing

Northern Constabulary carried out raids across the force area in September 2011

Three men from the Highlands have been jailed for a total of seven-and-a-half years after admitting drug dealing.

Scott Ross from Alness, Jason McWilliams from Kinlochleven, and Robin Sutherland pled guilty to supplying drugs in the Highlands and Grampian.

A police operation against the gang in September last year recovered cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines worth £100,000, and assets valued at £40,000.

A fourth gang member - Graeme Cran, 26, - was given a community service order.

The four appeared at the High Court in Glasgow and received nine convictions which resulted in sentences totalling 92 months.

Northern Constabulary launched Operation Albatross in October 2009 to investigate the gang's activities.

Police said its ringleaders, McWilliams and Ross, had a supply network affecting all parts of the Northern Constabulary's force area as well as the Grampian Police region.

Det Ch Insp Michael Sutherland said: "An investigation was carried out which involved officers from Northern Constabulary, SCDEA, Strathclyde Police and Grampian Police.

"These sentences should send a message to those involved in organised crime. We will proactively target you and you can expect to go to jail."