FOUR men have been locked up after armed police found a major drug factory in a council flat.

Police uncovered a `bashing' operation - where cocaine was being diluted with other substances - in the raid in Cedars Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Two food blenders in the kitchen were being used to mix the drugs, while a machine was used to pack cocaine in freezer bags to be sold on the streets.

The gang was caught red-handed. Michael Lavery, prosecuting, said Kevin Bond, who lived at the house, and Stuart Walsh, Calvin Marques and Lee Bacon were all found there.

Cocaine with a street value of £33,900 was recovered, plus bags of cocaine on Bond he claimed were for his own use.

Raids at the Wythenshawe homes of Walsh, Marques and Bacon found drugs, cash, and items including Rolex watches.

Bond, 48, was jailed for three years after he admitted possessing cocaine and allowing premises to be used for its supply.

Walsh, 28, of Chatcombe Road, was jailed for four-and-half years; Marques, 23, of Tayfield Road, three-and-half years; and Bacon, 18, of Plowden Road, was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for four years. All three had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply.