A GANG of six will appear in court today charged with the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary's Operation Fortress team arrested the six yesterday as part of an 18-month long investigation which also focused on the laundering of “significant” amounts of cash from the proceeds associated with the drug supply.

Their investigation identified a well established criminal network of organisers, financiers, couriers and street level suppliers.

Mervyn Headley, 47, of James Weld Close, Southampton will appear at Southampton Magistrates Court along with Amarjit Dhillon, 34, of Kanes Hill, Southampton, Alizan Bockhari, 30, of Oak Way, Feltham, Munider Singh, 26, of Willowbrook Road, Southall and Parmjit Dhaliwai, 27, of Hughes Road, Hayes, all charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Sandeep Panesar, of Lake Avenue, Slough will also appear charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and conspiracy to convert criminal property - namely cash.

A seventh person, Muhrukh Dogar, 28 of Lake Avenue, Slough has also been charged with conspiracy to convert criminal property, namely cash but she is not appearing as she has been charged and bailed until July 22.

Operation Fortress was launched in 2012 with the aim of stamping out drug related crime blighting city communities.

Anyone with information about illegal drugs affecting their community can contact Hampshire Constabulary by phoning 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.