MEMBERS of an international drug-trafficking plot have been sentenced to a total of more than 200 years in jail.

The gang of 20 was netted through a police operation codenamed Lima.

The undercover investigation resulted in heroin and cocaine worth £2.5m being prevented from flooding the streets and clubs of Halton and Merseyside, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

It also highlighted the criminals' strong links with Spain, Holland and the Balkans.

David Turner QC, prosecuting, said three men played a key role in organising the gang - Christopher Burke, John Mullally and David Baker.

He said: 'The police kept surveillance on certain suspects and it became apparent it was a sophisticated criminal organisation with contacts in London and international contacts.'

The police intercepted imported drugs around the country.

Judge Mark Brown said he was sure the seizures represented 'the tip of a very large iceberg'.

One of the hauls was discovered in May last year at the Radisson, hotel in Liverpool after two Dutch drug dealers started fighting in a room.

The brawl made headline news as pop band Girls Aloud, including Runcorn's Nicola Roberts, had been staying at the hotel.

The court heard the gang used a scaffolding business to transport heroin and cocaine from abroad. They were also planning on starting a granite kitchen worktop business as a front for their illegal trade.

Christopher Burke, Mullally and Baker were the controlling minds and helped organise the arrival of heroin and cocaine and its distribution.

Jeanette Burke, who is not related to Christopher Burke, provided the business acumen for the gang and dealt with its finances. Sentencing 10 of the gang, Judge Brown said their multi-national drug trafficking had made them a lot of money.

A further 10 were sentenced previously and one man will be dealt with today.