Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team have been praised for their recent bust which saw 21 drug dealers being jailed.
They have been given a sentence of 57 years with multiple major drug lines disrupted across the south of Doncaster.
Doncaster Inspector Adrian Luscombe, said: “I’ve been doing this job for 20 years and I’ve never been involved in a police operation that’s had a more significant impact than this one.”
The operation, which lasted 18 months, saw a city-wide crackdown following months of careful planning, with officers executing drug warrants in Doncaster and arresting wanted individuals.
Inspector Luscombe oversees the Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) which covers Mexborough, Conisborough, Edlington and other surrounding areas.
Insp Luscombe said: “If I could have written a list of people I’d want removing from the area, I’d say that almost all of the key ones are gone, going or have had their operations heavily disrupted thanks to months of hard work, planning and intelligence gathering.
“It was evident that drugs were funding the activities of OCGs in the area and by wiping out their suppliers, it creates a vacuum which we are now in a position to consolidate.”
Jailed individuals as a result of the operation include Alexander Olas, of Harrogate Drive, James Sheerin, of Stone Riding, and Henry Hodgson, of Church Street.
Doncaster Superintendent Pete Thorp says this is only the beginning of what this operation hopes to achieve, with more convictions expected in order to build on what has already been achieved.
Supt Thorp said: “We are confident of bringing even more drug dealers to justice in the coming weeks and months as we build on the momentum this operation has given us.”
South Yorkshire Police urges those worried about drug-related crime in their area, or if you think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, to call them on 101 or 999 in an emergency.