East Lancashire crime group who ran multi-million pound drugs operation jailed
More than 70 cannabis farms were dismantled during an 11-month sting
An East Lancashire crime group who ran a multi-million pound drugs operation have been jailed for more than 70 years between them.
During an 11-month sting, more than 70 cannabis farms were dismantled.
Over 2500 plants and 100 kilos of the drug - with a street value of around ÂŁ2million - were seized, along with hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash and imitation firearms, gas cannisters and a taser.
Most properties searched had similar doors, windows and exterior cameras, which were used to alert them if a rival drug gang became aware of their grow and therefore could be preparing to 'tax' them by violently stealing their cannabis.
Police raided homes in Nelson, Pendle, Brierfield, Accrington, Burnley and Great Harwood - 84 cannabis plants and 14 kilos of bagged up cannabis were also found in skips they hired.
Investigations found that one of the defendants ordered 52 doors from the same company, despite having no obvious form of income.
DS Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said:
"These defendants were part of a sophisticated OCG which invested significant amounts of time and money into evading the police. It was only through good, committed police work that we managed to unravel this complex network of criminality.
"This OCG sought to exploit some of the most vulnerable members of society for their own greed and I am pleased that its members have been brought to justice. We are committed to tackling these serious and organised crime groups who embed themselves within our communities and often engage in violence.
"I hope these convictions send a strong message that they will not be tolerated in Lancashire and we will do everything in our powers to put their members before the courts."
Andrew Snowden, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, said:
"It's fantastic to see Lancashire Constabulary delivering on my priority to disrupt and dismantle organised crime gangs, protecting our communities and putting gang members behind bars.
"Organised crime gangs bring fear, violence, drugs and exploitation into our communities and through Op Warrior we're increasing activity to get the results we all want to see. The number of arrests, asset seizures and drugs taken off our streets speak for themselves.
"It's important we send a clear message to criminals that we're coming to get you, whilst reassuring the public that we are taking the fight to organised crime gangs at full force.
"I would encourage anyone to report suspicious activity or any information that might help in bringing criminals to justice."
28 people have been jailed in total - one got a community order and one other will be sentenced later this year:
- Andrius Zukaitis 17/01/1991 Walter Street, Brierfield. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for eight years and six months.
- Abdul Wahid 23/12/1978 Charles Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for six years.
- Shuaib Dar 14/01/1993 Hilldrop Road, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for four years and nine months.
- Lailolas Mulikas, Albion Street, Brierfield. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for three years and six months.
- Atif Mushtaq 30/10/87 Regent Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Three years and six months.
- Robertas Blazonis 12/05/1990 Pine Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis and possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid / gas / electrical incapacitation device / thing. Jailed for three years.
- Justinas Zile 08/02/2000 Athol Street North, Burnley. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for three years.
- Tadas Zdanavicius 28/04/1991 Eagle Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years and six months.
- Eimantas Grickevicius 05/11/1998 Berriedale Road, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis and possess / control identity documents with intent. Jailed for two years and six months.
- Gabrielius Uigianskas 24/02/2003 Pine Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis and possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid / gas / electrical incapacitation device / thing. Jailed for two years and six months.
- Lukas Sakalauskas 22/03/1996 Berriedale Road, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years and six months.
- Aidas Radzys 09/09/1980 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis, possess CS gas, Possess Taser. Jailed for two years and six months
- Zilvinas Sudmonas 02/03/1997 Bank Lane, Salford. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years and five months.
- Roman Lastowski 28/05/1990 Berkeley Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years and five months.
- Tomas Ramanauskas 09/04/2001 Belfield Road, Accrington. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years and four months.
- Thomas Borodkinas 05/02/2002 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years and four months.
- Rokas Rudokas 16/12/1985 Walton Lane. Nelson. Possession of CS gas and money laundering. Jailed for two years and three months. ÂŁ384,120.19 cash seized.
- Ernestas Dapkus 19/10/1989 Scotland Road, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years.
- Modestas Laurikenas 29/01/2001 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for two years.
- Deividas Vaitkus 30/08/1997 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis, possession of CS gas. Jailed for 21 months.
- Simonas Repecka 27/08/1998 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for 21 months.
- Zanas Dakanas 28/05/1995 North Street, Colne. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for 12 months.
- Robertas Burdis NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for 12 months.
- Klaidus Zakarauskas 10/06/1982 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for 12 months.
- Kastytis Zamauskas 02/02/1989 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for 12 months.
- Rastauskas Paulis 27/11/1998 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for 12 months.
- Aleksandras Gedvila 11/05/1989 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for nine months.
- Rimantas Stundze 25/07/1978 Rhoda Street, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Jailed for eight months.
- Aleandro Korbi 29/09/2001 NFA. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. Received a two-year community order.
- Daugardas Buta 09/02/1997 Scotland Road, Nelson. Conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. He will be sentenced later this year.