THEY came to Hampshire to prey on drug addicts and fund flashy lifestyles.

But now a gang has been sentenced to more than 100 years in jail after the largest investigation yet by Hampshire's drug crime taskforce.

Thirteen people have been handed terms of up to 15 years in prison for their role in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in Southampton and Winchester.

^ Use the picture gallery above to see the convicted gang members and their sentences ^

It comes as Hampshire Constabulary continue Operation Fortress, their crackdown on organised gang and drug-related crime in Southampton.

As part of the wider investigation, Operation Buntline was launched to look into a gang based in Manchester which was bringing class A drugs into Hampshire.

The operation was the largest investigation carried out by the Operation Fortress team into a single organised crime group.

The gang worked across Southampton city centre, especially in Canute Road, and Winchester city centre, as well as Brighton.

Police say they believe the gang starting operating in Hampshire in January 2014.

Some spent the proceeds from their deals on foreign holidays, while Anthony Ainsley spent more than £10,000 on hire cars.

Following the police investigation a number of people were charged and brought to trial at Southampton Crown Court.

Three were found guilty at trial while another ten later pleaded guilty before they were due to appear in a second trial.

And between them, the 13 people who have been found guilty or admitted the crimes have received sentences adding up to 106 years behind bars.

Further details on the police investigation are not available at this stage as a second trial is set to start.

Two of those jailed are from Hampshire. Emma Lyons, 38, of Crossley Place, Southampton, was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs while Daniel Weller, 37, from Hartley Wintney, was given three.

The remaining 11 are from Greater Manchester.

Speaking after the sentencings, Detective Inspector Mandy Horsburgh, who led the investigation, said: “Today we have seen an organised crime group from Manchester brought to justice for the part they have played in the supply on controlled drugs into the cities of Southampton, Winchester and Brighton.

“These individuals, in whatever role they played, have chosen to prey on the vulnerability of drug addiction and have exploited this for their own gains to fund cash rich lifestyles with little regard for the ripple effect of misery that drug misuse causes with individuals, families and communities.

“The work within Operation Fortress will continue to redress this imbalance of injustice and regardless of where these criminal groups reside we will identify them and bring them to justice and continue to reduce the harm they cause within our communities.

“We are dedicated, with the assistance for our partners, to reducing harm in our communities and signposting help and support for those affected.

"To that end the message for other criminal groups who wish to exploit vulnerability in our communities is that if you do, regardless of where you live, we will find you, knock your door, seize your assets and bring you to justice.”

It comes as police charged eight people with drug offences after officers swooped on six addresses in Southampton and three in London last week.  Anyone with information that could help Operation Fortress should contact the police on 101.

(All sentences to run concurrently)