Members of an organised crime group, which ran a large conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, have been convicted at the Old Bailey.
The group were identified as producing industrial amounts of cannabis, which was estimated to have had a yearly yield of over £25 million, at numerous locations across Kent and Norfolk between 2013 and 2015. It is believed that this is the biggest conspiracy to cultivate cannabis which has been uncovered in the UK.
A total of 15 offenders were convicted following an investigation by Kent and Norfolk Police and 2 people were found not guilty by a jury.
The group operated from sites in Rochester, here in Sittingbourne and at North Walsham in Norfolk.
Each location was set up in an almost identical manner - a purpose built two story wooden construction that had been created inside an industrial unit. The layout and equipment used was also identical.
A total of 16,428 cannabis plants were seized across the locations.
Group member 50-year-old David Graham, of Bromley, leased a unit on an industrial centre on Staplehurst Road (Sittingbourne) for a five year period on 1st May 2015. The investigation showed that Michael Edward Corcoran was also involved in obtaining the lease.
On 14th December 2015 Stephen Macey was observed to leave the unit and get into a white Ford Transit which was parked outside. Police then executed a warrant and when officers entered, they found Alan Marquiss, Damon Mills and Christopher Marsh inside along with a total of 4633 cannabis plants were found, with a potential annual street value in excess of £7.5m.
All those convicted are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey in July 2017.
Detective Inspector James Derham, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, told SFM News: "This was a highly organised and prolific conspiracy to produce and sell cannabis on an industrial scale. We estimate the annual street value of these plants was in excess of £26 million - a significant amount of money that could have been used to fund further criminal activity. This case was a significant undertaking by the investigation team due to the level of sophistication and analytical work. This case sends out a clear message that Kent Police has the resources and expertise to offenders involved in high level, organised criminality to justice".
Detective Inspector Tom Smith, from Norfolk Constabulary, said: "This was the largest cannabis factory ever discovered in Norfolk during a joint operation with Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. The operation was complex and time consuming but demonstrates that organised crime and drug trafficking networks operating in Norfolk will be targeted and closed down. These convictions also highlight how forces across the country work together to tackle organised crime.'
Prior to the first Trial, which took place at the Old Bailey between 5th September and 28th November 2016:
• James Allen, 39 and of Woolwich Road in Abbey Wood, London, pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and three counts of abstracting electricity.
• Stephen Macey, 25 and of Commercial Road in Paddock Wood, pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and five counts of abstracting electricity.
• Christopher Marsh, 30 and of Ethelbert Road in Margate, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to produce cannabis and one count of abstracting electricity.
• Damon Mills, 18 also of Ethelbert Road in Margate, pleaded Guilty to one count of conspiring to produce cannabis and one count of abstracting electricity.
The eight defendants tried at the Old Bailey between 5 September and 28 November 2016 were:
• Michael Edward Corcoran, 51 and of Mount Avenue in Yalding, was found guilty of seven counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and five counts of abstracting electricity.
• Michael Jay Corcoran, 28 of Odo Rise in Gillingham, the son of Michael Edward Corcoran, was found guilty of four counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and four counts of abstracting electricity.
• Stefan-Alex Henderson Clarke, 27 and Kennedy Walk in Walworth, London, was found guilty of four counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and four counts of abstracting electricity.
• Stuart Sollis, 51 and of Bowyer Street in Camberwell, London, was found guilty of five counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and four counts of abstracting electricity.
• David Heath, 48 and of Wentworth Crescent in Peckham, London, was found guilty of three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and three counts of abstracting electricity.
• Colin Walls, 52 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to produce cannabis and was found guilty of two further counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and three counts of abstracting electricity.
• Terrance Murphy, 47 and of Caspian Way in Purfleet, Essex, was found guilty of one count of conspiring to produce cannabis and one count of abstracting electricity.
• Stephen Creed, 45 and of Beccles Road in St Olaves, Great Yarmouth, was found Guilty following of one count of conspiring to produce cannabis and one count of abstracting electricity.
Prior to the second trial at the Old Bailey, David Graham, 50 and of Plaistow Lane in Bromley, pleaded guilty to five counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and five counts of abstracting electricity.
A reporting restriction meant these cases could not be publicised until the conclusion of the second trial, which took place at the Old Bailey between 3rd April and 5th May this year (2017)
At this trial:
• Alan Marquiss, 69 and of Disraeli Road in Thamesmead, London, pleaded guilty during proceedings to one count of conspiring to produce cannabis and one count of abstracting electricity.
• Andrew Prowse, 32 previously of Southampton Way in Camberwell, London, pleaded guilty during proceedings to three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis.
• Ellie Louise Corcoran, 21 and of Commercial Road in Paddock Wood, was found not guilty of three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and three counts of abstracting electricity.
• Gary McIntrye, 36 and of Alfred Road in Brentwood, Essex, was found not guilty of three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis and three counts of abstracting electricity.
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