More than �300,000 in cash was recovered during the operation

Operation Round-up started in 2003 and has targeted the heroin and cocaine trade over the last three years.

More than �300,000 in cash and over a kilo of heroin has been recovered, making it one of the country's most successful operations against dealers.

Sentences totalling just short of 72 years were given to people prosecuted during the operation.

The investigation resulted in 130 drug supply charges being brought in 51 cases.

'Loud message'

While the focus was in Dumfries, police said the impact of the operation has been felt throughout the region.

It resulted a 10-year sentence for Scott Ritchie, 41, identified as a major figure in the drug supply network in the town.

His girlfriend Martine Dickson and long-term associate John Nicholson were also jailed in May this year.

Operation Round-up sentences Scott Ritchie 10 years Robert Beauly 10 years Edward Walls 7 years John Kelly 6 years John Layden 5 years 9 months Hugh Boyce 5 years Justine Marshall 5 years Nicolass Lismanis 5 years John Owen Nicholson 4 years 6 months Martine Dickson 3 years 6 months

A number of "lower level" dealers were also jailed as part of the operation.

Acting Det Insp Duncan Smith said Operation Round-up showed the force's commitment to tackling the drugs problem.

"We hope the sentencing of these main criminals will provide reassurance to the public that drug dealing and the illegal assets acquired from them will not be tolerated," he said.

"These criminals have been a nuisance to local communities for years and we are extremely pleased that they can no longer destroy families and lives with their greed."

John Service, procurator fiscal, added: "The successful outcome in these cases has been the result of a lot of hard work over the past couple of years.

"The message is loud and clear to local drug dealers - they will not make money from the misery of others."

Det Supt Brian Anderson also praised the co-operation between police and procurator fiscal's office.