A GANG ran a big drug supply operation from a council flat in Hereford, a jury was told.

Police observing the premises saw a stream of visitors who would call out their names before being let inside.

The flat in Kingfisher Road was heavily secured with bolts and a closed circuit TV camera monitored callers, said Pardeep Tiwana, prosecuting.

Officers who raided it on October 30 last year discovered hard drugs and wads of cash. They arrested five people.

On trial at Worcester Crown Court are David Scott, aged 28, of Kingfisher Road, Hereford, Roan Francis, 34, of Coldmore Road, Walsall, and Dave Clarke, 38, of Brampton Road, Hereford.

They all deny conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin during October last year.

Two other defendants, Kelly Nugent, 22, and Carl Bennett, 33, pleaded guilty to the drug charges before the trial began, Mr Tiwana told the jury.

"This was a significant operation involving the supply of drugs. The defendants thought that the flat in quiet Hereford was an ideal location, but the police spoiled their plans and put an end to their unlawful activities at an early stage," he added.

The two principals in the scheme were Francis and his girlfriend Nugent who obtained the drugs from a source, said Mr Tiwana.

Clarke was allegedly in charge of drug sales when the pair were not around. Scott and Bennett - who rented the ground floor flat - allegedly collected the money from drug customers.

When police pounced, Francis tried to escape through a window and then threw a package containing 27.6 grammes of crack cocaine into a hedge, alleged Mr Tiwana.

Nugent also dropped a package outside. It contained 40 heroin deals.

She had also withdrawn £7,200 from a bank account and had £600 cash in her handbag.

Recovered from Francis's trousers were £880 and at an address in The Mallards, Leominster, £2,760 was found.

Francis and Nugent had access to the premises and also to a third address in Ludlow where £460, razor blades for cutting cocaine and mobile phones were seized, it was alleged.

Francis told police he had been in England two and a half years and earned up to £2,000 a week selling clothes on market stalls.

Clarke arrived in England from Jamaica a month before his arrest. Both men denied any involvement in drug supply.

Scott refused to comment, but through his solicitor, denied he sold or distributed drugs. He said any involvement with his co-accused was as a result of threats.

The trial continues.