A Bradford businessman who was said to be the principal organiser of a plan to distribute a £100,000 of drugs has been found guilty of conspiracy to produce cannabis.

Terence Wilcock, 46, alleged by the prosecution to be a professional criminal, had already been convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis.

The second guilty verdict was reached by the jury at Leeds Crown Court yesterday following more than 16 hours’ deliberation.

Wilcock, of Westgate Hill Street, Tong, will be sentenced at a later date, along with another Bradford man, Richard (Dickie) Daniels, 38, of Beechwood Road, Wibsey, who was also said to be a principal organiser in the drugs conspiracy and had previously pleaded guilty.

Prosecutor Richard Wright had told the jury the case concerned two separate offences relating to the distribution of cannabis on a significant scale.

Mr Wright claimed Wilcock was involved in the establishment of a cannabis factory in the West Midlands and was the principal organiser when 26kg of the drug were moved north.

Wilcock had pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis between March and June last year, and conspiracy to supply the drug between August and September last year.

He denied any involvement in the conspiracy and told the jury he had only visited the factory to buy clothing and discuss buying the building.

Mr Wright had told the court when police raided the factory in Walsall they found 1,000 cannabis plants, compost, water butts and chemicals. Electric cabling and lighting had been installed and the walls lined with silver foil. He described it as a “professional criminal enterprise”.

Police kept the defendants under surveillance and intercepted the drugs as the consignment was driven north.

Two other Bradford men were also before the court. Lee Lupton, 47, of Jarrom Close, Cutler Heights, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to supply but was convicted by the jury on a majority of ten to one.

David Romani, 47, of Beacon Brow, Buttershaw, denied conspiracy to produce cannabis. The jury was continuing to consider his verdict today.

Chananjit Singh Mahal, 61, of Walsall, who owned the cannabis factory was found guilty of conspiracy to produce the drug. He will also be sentenced at a later date.

Joseph Dupre, 67, and Jaswinder Tinsa, 43, both of Solihull, both denied conspiracy to supply cannabis and were unanimously found not guilty.