TWO Barnsley men have been sentenced following an extensive police probe which helped dismantle a drug line.

On Monday, ten people were sentenced for their involvement in the ‘Montana line’, which was involved in supplying Class A drugs within Sheffield city centre.

Of those sentenced were 19-year-olds Christian Mayamba and Masimba Mwanjira, both from Barnsley.

The gang was involved in bullying a victim into using his flat, from which they ran their drug operation.

They showed no remorse for their actions, as forensic phone work uncovered Snapchat messages and videos of members of the gang, including Mayamba and Mwanjira, posing with wads of cash, dancing outside the victim’s flat whilst holding a machete, posing in a bullet-proof vest with a machete while smoking cannabis and bragging about their life of crime.

Further CCTV work uncovered that Mayamba used the victim’s stolen debit card at a cash machine, withdrawing all the victim’s funds, which he then denied doing during police interviews.

A warrant was quickly obtained and the door of the property was kicked in.

When searched, around £2,500 worth of Class A drugs was found in the address along with the gang members’ personal property.

This includes multiple toothbrushes which they had left in the bathroom, which were recovered and forensically tested to obtain their DNA.

The forensic testing and evidence gathering ultimately led to the ten nominals being arrested and then later brought before the courts for their actions.

In November, all ten appeared at Sheffield Crown Court where they all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

At the same court on Monday, they were sentenced.

Mayamba, of Wood Street, Barnsley, who also pleaded guilty to theft and fraud, has been sentenced to 51 months’ detention in a young offenders’ institute.

Mwanjira, of Newton Avenue, Royston, has been sentenced to 27 months’ detention in a YOI.

Detective Constable Mike Jenkins, who was the officer in charge of the case, said: “This is an awful case of someone being exploited for the gain of a violent and remorseless gang.

“The Montana gang clearly had no regard for the consequences of their actions, using any means necessary to ensure their drug supply operation continued to provide them financial profit.

“Drug supply is often linked to serious organised crime, with members of the community left feeling the repercussions of these callous actions.

“Forensic evidence and an extensive investigation of upwards of 12 months, has ensured that these criminals will pay for their actions and spend a significant time behind bars.”