THE lead detective who helped topple a Greenock drugs gang which 'blighted' Inverclyde has said his team worked 'tirelessly' to expose the criminal enterprise.

Five members of the organised crime group - Lee Docherty, Ian Millar, Brendan Gillan, Daniel Gillan and Christopher McKellar - have been jailed for a total of 31 years and eight months for their part in the scheme.

Speaking following the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, Detective Chief Inspector Robert Bowie said: “These five men were a blight on the community of Greenock and the wider Inverclyde area.

Greenock Telegraph: Brendan GillanBrendan Gillan (Image: Police Scotland)

“Their organised crime group was a significant factor in the trade of illegal drugs in the area, causing nothing but harm in pursuit of their own gain.

READ MORE: 'Their grip has been dismantled': Prosecutors welcome drug gang's jail terms

“Their activities were brought to light thanks to a protracted and complex investigation led by the serious and organised crime team working in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

Greenock Telegraph: Daniel GillanDaniel Gillan (Image: Police Scotland)

"The full extent of their criminality was uncovered thanks to the infiltration of the encrypted messaging service EncroChat.

“Our officers, working with partners, worked tirelessly to expose the criminal activity of this group, ultimately leading to them facing justice today.”

Greenock Telegraph: Christopher McKellarChristopher McKellar (Image: Police Scotland)

DCI Bowie added: “Disrupting the activities of organised crime groups and making the country an extremely hostile environment for them to operate is one of Police Scotland’s top priorities.

“There is no place for serious organised criminality in our society and, working in partnership with law enforcement agencies and the members of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, we will continue our fight against those involved in serious and organised crime to keep our communities safe.”