TWO drug conspirators are today awaiting sentence after police seized more than a kilo of heroin in one of York's biggest drugs swoops.

Nigel Stewart Flint, 30, and Carl Russell Anson, 44, were due to stand trial for conspiring with Flint's friend, Louisa Jo Novis, 22, to supply the Class A drug.

But as a jury waited to be sworn in at York Crown Court, the two men pleaded guilty.

The successful conclusion of the case comes just a day after the official launch of the York drugs squad.

Flint, Anson and Novis were arrested after detectives seized more than a kilo of heroin. The prosecution estimated it had a value of more than £180,000.

Anson, formerly of Albert Drive, Morley, was also charged with possessing heroin with intent on a track off the A1237 York ring road and on a track behind the Buckle Inn on the A64 near Tadcaster. He denied both charges.

But both he and Flint, of Poppleton Gatehouse, Millgate, York, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin between July 11 and October 21 last year.

Tim Clayson, prosecuting, said Anson's guilty plea to the conspiracy included admissions that he had possessed the drugs in the two other charges against him and asked that the extra charges be left on the file.

Novis, of Rougier Street, York, denied the conspiracy, but admitted possession of heroin and cocaine.

Mr Clayson said the evidence showed she was on the edge of the conspiracy and asked for a not guilty verdict in her case on that charge.

The prosecution asked for a formal not guilty verdict against Anson on a charge of possessing a gas canister, which he denies.

Judge Paul Hoffman ordered pre-sentence reports on all three. Novis and Flint were released on bail. Anson was remanded in custody. They return to court in three weeks.

Superintendent John Lacy, of York police, said today the heroin seizure was one of the biggest ever made in the York area.

He said a major intelligence operation had been put together after police had seen the increasing effects of heroin on the streets of the city.

"I am highly delighted that this case has been brought to a successful conclusion," he said.

Updated: 14:39 Tuesday, October 09, 2001