A man who ran a drug ring in Stoke-on-Trent from his prison cell has been handed a further jail term.

Ryan Mountford, 23, of no fixed address, was sentenced to six-years-and-four-months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 1 July) after he admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, heroin and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Detective Sergeant Marc Proctor, from the city proactive team, said: "We're pleased that a large amount of drugs have been taken off the streets through our proactive work to take down this drug line.

"Mountford has been a blight on local communities and we have been working hard to put a stop to his offending.

"We want to reassure the local community that we are committed to actioning their concerns as robustly as possible and supporting those who are coerced into drug supply by organised crime groups like this one.

"Work is continuing alongside our partners to target drug supply in Staffordshire and continue acting on the issues which matter most to our communities."

Staffordshire Police found out that Mountford was running the drugs line while serving a prison sentence in October 2021.

He was using various phones inside the prison and was directing people around the preparation, weight and value of crack cocaine and heroin in the area.

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As part of the ongoing investigation, warrants were carried out at a number of addresses across Blurton in February 2022.

A number of items were found including a plastic bag containing 12 deals of heroin, a safe with more than £10,000 in cash inside and a plastic wrap containing crack cocaine.

Officers also found a tick list of people who were buying the drugs in the area.

During the investigation, Mountford was released from prison. Officers later found him in Cumbria and arrested him in connection with the drug line.

Whilst in custody, he spat at an officer.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "As part of Operation Target, we are working hard to disrupt and pursue criminals who plan, organise and commit serious criminal offences across the county, including drug supply, illegal firearms, knife crime, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

"If you are concerned about drug supply in your local area or if you notice anything suspicious, contact us by calling 101 or by messaging through Live Chat on our website. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."