"This operation is a great example of how law enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad work together," said Detective Inspector Gary Townsend of the Middle Market Drugs Partnership.

The gang had conspired to import 200,000 ecstasy tablets, which Police claimed had a street value of £800,000.

Suspicions were first raised when a Dutch woman brought six boxes to a DHL depot in Belgium, claiming that they contained books.

She told the courier company that the consignment was to be picked up by a Dutch man at DHL's depot at Park Royal in London.

Belgian Federal Police were called in and they discovered the massive haul of ecstasy tablets.

After liasing with the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, the consignment was allowed into the country for analysis.

The packaging was then carefully reconstructed, with cat biscuits used as a substitute for the ecstasy tablets.

Police then took the boxes to DHL in Park Royal and waited for the recipients to arrive.

The ecstasy was then transported to a house in Newport, Wales -- at this point, the Police entered the premises and found the boxes opened.

Officers also found a further 2,774 ecstasy tablets and around 2kg of amphetamine sulphate powder.

The six main conspirators all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ecstasy.

David Perry, 23, was jailed for seven years.

Lee Glyn Jones, 24, Nathan Rees, 20, and Michael Edward O'Connor, 23, recieved a three year jail sentence.

Daniel Thomas, 23, was imprisoned for 33 months and Joshua John Henshaw, 18, for two years.

O'Connor also received two additional 30 month jail terms for conspiracy to supply ecstasy and amphetamine, running concurrently with his three year term.

A minor player in the drama came away with a much lighter sentence.

Gerrard Waters, 25, was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years, a supervision order for two years and a 150-hour community sentence after pleading guilty to allowing his flat to be used for the supply of drugs.

“This was a particularly large consignment of ecstasy that we have prevented from getting onto the streets of south Wales," said Detective Inspector Townsend.

"It should act as a deterrent to anyone who believes they can get away with importing drugs in this way."