THIRTEEN people have appeared before York Magistrates Court accused of being part of a major heroin supply operation in the city.

Two more people are expected to appear before the same court next week on similar or related charges.

The 15 defendants are alleged to have supplied the drug for eight months and to have amassed more than £100,000.

District judge Adrian Lower sent the 13 who appeared before him to Leeds Crown Court, where they will all appear on July 12. The remaining two are expected to be sent to the same crown court to appear at the same hearing.

Twelve defendants are charged with conspiring to supply heroin between October 1, 2015, and June 17, 2016, in York.

They are: Alfred Dear, 24, Levi Dear, 23, and Michael Reynolds, 20, all of James Street Caravan Site, central York; Simon McArthur, 27, of Suffolk House, Lowther Terrace, central York; Kale Melvin Stephen Adams, 27, of Lilac Avenue, Knottingley; Philip Walker, 27, and Sarah Louise Smith, 34, both of Albert Close, Huntington; Paul Anthony Garratt, 48, of Crathorne House, Jackson Street, The Groves, York; David Christopher Smith, 22, of Richmond Street, York; Marcus Levi Stannard, 24, of Ward Court, off Nunnery Lane, South Bank, York and Stine Wilson, 32, of Carnock Close, Huntington.

Alfred Philip Dear, 42, of James Street Caravan Site, central York, faces the same charge, but was not in court. His case was adjourned until June 22, and a 13th man will appear before the court on June 20.

Danielle Smith, 31, is alleged to have conspired to possess £94,953.37 of criminal cash on June 16, 2016, at Ryedale Caravan Site, Osbaldwick, where she lives, and Levi Dear, and Ellie Dear, 21, of James Street Caravan Site, are charged with conspiracy to possess criminal cash worth £13,095 on June 16, 2016, at the caravan site where they live.

Adams is also charged with possession to possess 41.5g of heroin with intent to supply it to others on May 26, 2016.

Sarah Smith, Walker and Garratt are also charged with possession to possess 19.5g of heroin with intent to supply it to others on December 11, 2015, at Albert Close, Huntington.

Stannard is charged with conspiracy to possess £2,660 of criminal cash on December 11, 2015 at Albert Close.

All were released on unconditional bail, apart from Adams, who was remanded in custody.