Three drug dealers were due to be sentenced today for their part in a £260,000 drugs operation.

Ringleader Brian Biggs and co-defendants Paul Kelly and Stephen Clough admitted their roles in the venture, which saw 60kg of cannabis resin recovered.

But Biggs, 51, denied prosecution claims made at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday that he made over £1m from various drug deals.

Kelly, 33, also denies making £95,520 in the venture but there was nothing to counter claims that Clough, 33, who acted as a courier, received £600.

A hearing to determine exactly how much they made through drug dealing and how much can be recovered was due to continue today before sentencing.

Police say some of the cannabis seized was among the strongest ever found in Oxfordshire.

Sandra Stanfield, prosecuting, said officers had watched property owned by Biggs in Bicester and Piddington in January.

She said that an Astra van rented by Biggs and driven by Clough was followed to London where it was parked and later joined by a second van, driven by Kelly.

The pair exchanged "large articles" before departing. The Astra was followed back to Oxfordshire where it was stopped at Cherwell Services on the M40.

Officers found a holdall containing just under 25kg of cannabis with a street value of £106,680.

A search at Biggs's home in Villiers Road, Bicester, uncovered 2.47kg of cannabis worth just under £10,500 plus 23 cannabis plants and 71 ecstasy tablets.

Officers also found £69,900 in a bedroom study, £20,000 in the loft and £1,120 on the defendant.

A further 22.1kg of cannabis, with a street value of £94,650, was found at Biggs' second property, Brill View Farm, near Piddington.

Miss Stanfield said a search of Kelly's home in Sydenham Road, Croydon, had uncovered just under 11kg of cannabis, worth £47,100.

A briefcase containing £47,260 was found under his bed.

The court heard that Biggs, who co-owns horticultural business Plantasia, at Bicester Garden Centre, had asked Clough, whose address was also given as Villiers Road, Bicester, to drop-off the drugs to Kelly in London and return with the money.