Police Information

12 Years For 'Skunk' Cannabis.

Wed, September 26, 2001

Source: National Crime Squad

National Crime Squad operation results in 12 Years for Humberside 'Skunk' men.

 

Two Humberside men have been jailed for a total of 12 years for being involved in the production of 'skunk' cannabis at the most sophisticated illicit 'factory' set up to grow the drug ever discovered on mainland UK.

The National Crime Squad last year raided a unit at Breighton Airfield Industrial Estate, Sands Lane, Breighton, near Selby, just as hundreds of cannabis plants were about to be harvested and turned into cannabis for distribution across the country.

It is estimated that the professionally set up and organised production line could have yielded cannabis with an estimated street value of up to £1 million a year.

At Hull Crown Court today (26 Sept) John KELLY, aged 38, of Sands Lane, Breighton, and Andrew Francis MARKHAM, aged 37, of Martins Road, Ulceby, were jailed after admitting their involvement in the illegal business.

KELLY and MARKHAM both pleaded guilty to Being Involved in the Production of Cannabis and KELLY additionally pleaded guilty to Possession of Prohibited Weapon, namely a CS gas cannister. MARKHAM was jailed for six-and-a-half years and KELLY for a total of six years.

Another defendant, John Daven WALSH, aged 36, of Breighton Road, Bubwith, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to Possession of Cannabis and Cocaine, for personal use, and Possession of Counterfeit Banknotes - he was fined a total of £500.

Judge Heppel dismissed a claim that KELLY and MARKHAM were merely 'small fry' in the overall criminal enterprise run from the airfield site and said that each man played an important and essential role in tending for some 1,000 cannabis plants which would have been worth thousands of pounds.

He also praised the National Crime Squad for a 'well planned and executed' enquiry which had produced overwhelming evidence of the men's guilt.

Crime Squad officers raided the 'factory' on 27 March 2000 with assistance from Humberside Police, the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) and the Forensic Science Service.

The building, believed to be an old aircraft hanger or 'nissen' hut, contained an active hydroponic growing room for the production of high strength 'skunk' cannabis plants. The site involved expensive irrigation and lighting systems which would have cost about £25,000 to set up.

Most of the plants there were almost ready for harvest but some had already been harvested and were in the drying process.

Detective Superintendent Eric LODGE, of the National Crime Squad, said: "I am very pleased with the result at court as it proves the strength of our evidence and sends out a strong message to anyone else thinking of making money through drug production.

"This was the most sophisticated cannabis production line discovered in this country and had the potential to make £1 million a year in the sale of drugs."

* A fourth defendant - Michael John WALSH, aged 58, of Sands Lane, Breighton - was originally charged with Being Concerned in the Production of Cannabis but failed to appear for a court hearing last year. A Bench Warrant for his arrest was issued by Hull Crown Court and the National Crime Squad is continuing its enquiries to trace his whereabouts.