Dramatic moment police arrest drugs boss of 'Britain's biggest' cocaine haul

This is the dramatic moment drug dealers were forcibly pinned down on the M6 after undercover police swooped on their vehicles.

Footage captured from a police helicopter shows the moment officers pounced on a blue van and a Nissan Qashqai following close behind.

Those inside had been trying to keep a low profile as they carried what would turn out to be the largest ever seizure of cocaine on land in the UK.

Detectives picked up intelligence about the convoy as they probed a sophisticated drugs gang with a presence across the north of England.

Jamie Simpson, aged 31, of Delery Drive in Warrington, was sentenced to 11 years and six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Image: Cheshire Police (liverpool echo)

That undercover investigation led them to hear about the movements of this separate outfit and their plans.

The £20m cocaine haul , hidden in secret compartments in the van, had been loaded in Kent.

Cheshire Police moved in as the drugs were being transported up the M6, striking between Junctions 19 and 20 - near Warrington - last August.

The 186kg cargo of the Class A drug was under the control of gang leader Jamie Simpson, described by detectives as “confident, arrogant and greedy”.

186kg of cocaine - valued at £20m - was found hidden in the secret compartment of a van after Cheshire Police swooped on a convoy of vehicles on the M6. Image: Cheshire Police (liverpool echo)

He is pictured barefoot in a white shirt as he was made to lie on the M6 roadway during the police swoop.

The 31-year-old, of Delery Drive in Warrington, was sentenced to 11 years and six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

His jailing can only be reported now due to the conclusion of further trials linked to a major Cheshire Police Senior Organised Crime Unit probe.

SIMPSON'S GANG

(all from Warrington)

Jamie Simpson, 31 and of Delery Drive, was sentenced to 11 years and six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine

Jamie Simpson, aged 31, of Delery Drive in Warrington, was sentenced to 11 years and six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Image: Cheshire Police (liverpool echo)

Clare Smith, 36 and of Oakland Street: Eight years and nine months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine

Clare Smith, aged 36, of Oakland Street in Warrington was sentenced to eight years and nine months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Andrew Daniels, 41 and of Laira Street:  Eight years and six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine

Andrew Daniels, aged 41, of Laira Street in Warrington was sentenced to eight years and six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Dean Brettle, 37 and of Lord Nelson Street: Six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine

Dean Brettle, 37 and of Lord Nelson Street: Six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Jamie Winterburn, 47 and of Oakland Street: Three years and four months after pleading guilty to money laundering

Jamie Winterburn, age 47, of Oakland Street in Warrington was sentenced to three years and four months after pleading guilty to money laundering (liverpool echo)

OLDROYD'S GANG

(members all from Warrington and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, unless otherwise stated)

Jamie Oldroyd, 29 and of Rennie Drive: 14 years and three months

Jamie Oldroyd, aged 29, of Rennie Drive in Warrington was sentenced to 14 years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Image: Cheshire Police (liverpool echo)

Lewis Johnson, 21 and of Elizabeth Drive: Nine years

Lewis Johnson, aged 21, of Elizabeth Drive in Warrington was sentenced to nine years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Moses Webber, 21 and of Moorside in Latchford: Eight years

Moses Webber, aged 21, of Moorside in Latchford was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Terille Riley, 21, and of Heather Close: Six years and seven months

Terille Riley, aged 21, of Heather Close in Warrington was sentenced to six years and seven months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Taulant Paja, 22 and of Gladstone Mews: Six years and six months

Taulant Paja, aged 22, of Gladstone Mews in Warrington was sentenced to six years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Islam Grana, 27 and of Killingworth Lane: seven years

Islam Grana, aged 27, of Killingworth Lane in Warrington was sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Adam Todhunter, 29 and of Teal Grove: Four years

Adam Todhunter, aged 29, of Teal Grove in Warrington was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Joel Reading, 21, of Rockingham Close: Five years and seven months

Joel Reading, aged 21, of Rockingham Close in Warrington was sentenced to five years and seven months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Elliott Auton, 22 and of Rockingham Close in Warrington: Five years

Elliott Auton, aged 22, of Rockingham Close in Warrington was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Jordan Redfern, 22 and of Montgomery Close in Warrington: Five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and dangerous driving

Jordan Redfern, aged 22, of Montgomery Close in Warrington was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and dangerous driving (liverpool echo)

Paul Ferraillo, 42 and of Fox Bank Close in Widnes: Four years and six months after pleading guilty

Paul Ferraiolo, aged 42, of Fox Bank Close in Widnes was sentenced to four years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine (liverpool echo)

Kyle Kelly, 20 and of Solway Close has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced at a later date