SIX members of an organised crime group (OCG) responsible for the industrial-scale production and supply of cannabis in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire have been sentenced to a combined total of 34 years in prison.
The six men were convicted as part of Operation Executive, an investigation launched by North Yorkshire Police’s Organised Crime Unit into the production and supply of cannabis over two years.
In addition to these six, five other men and two women were also sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy.
All 13 appeared at Leeds Crown Court for sentencing over two days (Friday, May 24, and Monday, June 3), having previously either been found guilty or pleaded guilty to the following offences:
Alan Barker, 56, Woodlands, Long Drax, Selby – found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis, conspiracy to supply cannabis, two counts of possession of a Section 5 firearm, specifically a sawn-off shotgun, and refusing to provide pin or password for an electronic device under S49 - sentenced to nine years and nine months imprisonment.
Gary Barker, 53, Spring Bank Drive, Liversedge – found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and refusing to provide pin or password for an electronic device under S49 – sentenced to six years and three months imprisonment.
Steven Annis, 40, Boothferry Road, Goole – found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis - sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment.
James Dalton, Hillside, Byram– found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis - sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment.
Kastriot Molla, 44, First Avenue, Halifax – found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis - three years and six months imprisonment.
Michael Demes, 55, Willow Crescent, Thorne – found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis - sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment.
Connor Demes, 27, Willow Crescent, Thorne – found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis - sentenced 15 months’ imprisonment suspended, for two years.
Anthony Read, 63, Willow Crescent, Thorne – found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis - sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Kate Barker, 41, Woodlands, Long Drax, Selby – pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a Section 5 firearm, specifically a sawn-off shotgun – given a community order and ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid work.
Mark Furness, 60, Leeds Road, Heckmondwike – found guilty of allowing his premises to be used to produce cannabis - sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Diane Mitchell, 64, Owler Lane, Batley – pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used to produce cannabis - sentenced to 13 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
John Healy, 44, Owler Lane, Batley – pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used to produce cannabis - sentenced to 13 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Ben Marshall, 52, Field Head Road, Batley – pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used to produce cannabis - sentenced to 15 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for one year.
The court heard the investigation began after a man was arrested on June 21, 2017, in possession of several items believed to be used in the production of cannabis.
Following the man’s arrest, ringleader Alan Barker came forward to claim ownership of the items and was subsequently arrested.
Searches conducted at Barker’s home address in Long Drax, and business premises Selby Hydroponics, situated near the village of Carlton, North Yorkshire, led to the seizure of various items including a small quantity of cannabis and amphetamine, a marijuana grower’s book, six mobile phones, two shotguns, and an invoice for £1,155 listing items used in the cultivation of cannabis plants.
Operation Executive was subsequently launched to identify and subsequently dismantle the OCG.
Throughout the operation, police teams gathered intelligence that led to the identification of other defendants, many of whom maintained frequent communication, were observed together in person, or travelling in convoy, and made regular visits to the production sites. Intelligence also revealed that certain gang members visited Selby Hydroponics between visits to the production sites.
The production sites were discovered after warrants were executed, revealing cannabis grows at five residential properties - three in Birstall, one in Halifax, and one in Dewsbury.
The electricity had been bypassed in some of the properties and sophisticated hydroponics and watering systems had been set up. In addition to the equipment used to operate the cannabis grows. Cannabis plants were also seized.
During another search of the buildings and land at Selby Hydroponics, officers discovered 166 cannabis plants with root balls, 65 root balls without plants, cannabis mulch, cannabis cuttings, vacuum bags and bin liners that had been recently buried.
A warrant was also executed at Alan Barker’s new business venture, Selby Plant Hire, resulting in the seizure of several items, including twenty 12-gauge short shotgun blanks, a set of digital scales, and a Digital Wideband Radio Frequency Detector and GSM 3G Detector capable of detecting signals emitted by tracking devices.
Following the seizure of the multiple cannabis cultivations, Steven Annis attended Selby Plant Hire for a meeting with Alan Barker and another man, where he had his vehicle inspected for audio and tracking devices.
Surveillance, forensics, and mobile phone data were utilised to prove the involvement of gang members in some or all the cannabis grows and their connections within the OCG, despite some pleading their innocence and claiming not to know each other.
Samples taken from cigarette butts and drinks bottles linked Steven Annis, John Annis, and James Dalton to the Halifax property. Fingerprints were also used to establish connections between some gang members and some of the cultivation sites.
A set of keys seized from Steven Annis’ home address on November 9 matched the locks of the properties on one of the Birstall properties and the Halifax property.
Following the lengthy and complex investigation, the group were charged and eventually put before the courts where:
- Alan Barker, Garry Barker, Steven Annis and James Dalton were found guilty of their offences at a trial on November 24, 2023
- Michael Demes, Connor Demes, Kastriot Molla and Anthony Read were each found guilty of their offences at a trial on January 19, 2024
- Michael Furness was found guilty of his offence at a trial on February 2, 2024
And the remainder pleaded guilty at earlier hearings.
Four other defendants were found not guilty as part of the same conspiracy during the three trials.
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