Members of drugs gang jailed for total of 90 years

Members of the gang behind Britain's biggest amphetamine sulphate racket have been given jail sentences totalling 90 years.

Frank Sims, 54, the leader, of Basildon, Essex, was jailed for 11 years while two other members - Daniel Howard, 42, of Sandy, Bedfordshire, and Michael Butler, 28, of Wood Green, north London - received 10 years each. Fourteen men were convicted after two trials at Wood Green Crown Court. The gang set up two drug factories in Hertfordshire capable each week of making 'speed' with a street value of pounds 4.8m. Police estimate they produced 40 per cent of the speed taken in Britain during 1990. When the operation was destroyed in November 1990 after months of undercover work, pounds 4m worth of the drug was found. It is likely the gang manufactured at least pounds 30m worth.