DRUG dealers busted in a dramatic police raid have admitted their offences in court.

The pair were caught after a four-week long covert surveillance operation at a crack house in Harbold Street in Howley.

Jason Whitecross and Wayne Gibbons pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, Warrington Crown Court heard on Monday.

They were street dealers who were being supplied by a Liverpool man called Anthony Caffrey - he has already been jailed for three-and-half-years.

Steven Everett, prosecuting, told the court: "Both pleaded guilty on the basis that drugs were regularly delivered to this house, 30 Harbold Street, by a man called Caffrey.

"And when they were delivered they were already packed up in small bags.

"These two defendants supplied the drugs on the street to other regular users who were known to them who would come to the house.

"It seems fairly clear the drugs were either handed over in the house, in various alleyways or a suspension bridge which is in the area."

Mr Everett said their customers included people called Lee Rolands, Ian Parsonage and Jason Hillman.

The offences were committed between June 30 and July 12 this year.

Whitecross, a 33-year-old whose house was used for the dealing, and Gibbons, a 38-year-old, from Hamnett Court in Birchwood, were remanded in custody while pre-sentence reports are prepared. They are due to be sentenced in December.

Det Sgt Adrian Priest, of Warrington police's drugs squad, said: "These convictions send a positive message to the community that the police will take action about drug dealing.

"With overwhelming evidence and the support of the community, we are able to achieve this result against offenders in that area. I would also like to thank the Warrington Guardian for coming along on the raid and giving coverage to the work of the drugs unit."