A man who was the head of the drug gang that sold cocaine across Lancashire and Greater Manchester has been arrested.

Lee Broadbent, 42, was arrested yesterday for breaching his prison licence conditions.

In 2011, Lancashire Constabulary instigated Operation Oriole which was an investigation into the supply of class A drugs within the North West.

Broadbent, of Poulton, was spotted by undercover detectives carrying out a £130,000 cocaine deal in Blackpool back in October 2011, but managed to flee the country to Malaga.

Police arrested and convicted him of conspiracy to supply cocaine and was given a 16-year sentence in 2014.

He was released in 2020 but was arrested yesterday, Saturday, after he failed to adhere to the licence conditions.

He was recalled to prison and subsequently arrested by officers from the Lancashire police's neighbourhood task force.

Insp Martin Wyatt, of Wyre Police, said: “We will continue to work together with our partners to target serious and organised crime.

“Drugs cause misery for our communities and devastate lives which is why Lancashire Constabulary will target and disrupt organised crime linked with drug supply.

“I want to reassure people that we are targeting drug dealers, reducing supply and tackling violent crime. We can only do this by working together with the public and our partners.

“Officers will proactively target and disrupt drug dealers and seize the assets of criminals involved.

“Let this serve as a warning to those committing crime in Lancashire, we are watching, and we will put you before the courts.”