ELEVEN members of an organised crime gang have been sentenced to a total of 33 years and two months in prison for conspiracy and other offences relating to the production and supply of controlled drugs. The sentencing follows warrant in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The warrants formed part of Operation Pedal, a pro-active operation aimed at identifying and bringing to justice members of an organised crime group responsible for distributing controlled drugs in Hertfordshire.

The operation, which was led by the Serious and Organised Crime Group, began in July 2008 and concluded in January 2009 with the execution of the warrants. More than a hundred officers were involved, 15 people were arrested and a large amount of controlled drugs were seized as well as items used for making counterfeit currency.

The warrants were executed at the following addresses:

•A house in Northdown Road in Hatfield. The premises had been converted into a cannabis factory which was found to contain 487 cannabis plants worth up to £80,000.

•A house in Brampton Park Road in Hitchin. Cocaine worth up to £4000, cannabis plants, approximately two kilos of prepared herbal cannabis and a machine for producing counterfeit £1 and £2 coins were found at the premises.

•Two industrial units at Waterside Park, Old Wolverton in Milton Keynes. One had a basement which had been excavated by the group for cannabis production. The units contained over 3000 cannabis plants and a massive quantity of lighting and other production equipment. Cannabis was being produced on an industrial scale. The street value of the drugs recovered was estimated at up to £294,000. The factory was capable of producing an annual yield worth over £1milllion.

All of the cannabis factories were powered by electricity which had been unlawfully diverted in order to bypass electricity meters. The value of the electricity diverted at the Old Wolverton factory is estimated at £31,000.

The roles of those convicted varied from those who built the factories, cannabis ‘gardeners’ and couriers to those who managed and facilitated.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Chinery from the Serious and Organised Crime Group said: “The set up of this operation was extremely sophisticated and we are pleased that all the men involved have been given substantial prison sentences.

“I would like to praise all the officers involved our protracted inquiry. Their hard work and dedication has disrupted an organised crime group. Taking these men off the streets will have a significant impact on the drugs market in Hertfordshire and beyond.

“Drugs have no place in our communities. I hope the outcome of this case will send a strong message to anyone involved in drug crime that we are determined to arrest offenders and bring them to justice.”

One man remains ‘wanted’ in connection with the investigation. Jack Andrew Lane is wanted on warrant after failing to appear at St Albans Magistrates Court on May 12, 2009. Lane is described as a being a white man, 22, six ft tall and of proportionate build with blue eyes and blond hair. He has previously worked as a builder. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on 0845 3300 222. An appeal for his whereabouts is being made on BBC’s Crimewatch tonight (June 15.)

Sentencing Details

These three men were sentenced having been convicted on May 24 following a three week trial at St Albans Crown Court:

•Peter Clifford, 47, from Oakhill Road, Oakhill in Milton Keynes was sentenced to 8 years in prison

•Christopher Judd, 28, Whitethorn Lane, Letchworth was sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison

•Paul Gates, 25, from Chaucer Way in Hitchin was sentenced to 1 year 3 months in prison

The following had pleaded guilty prior to the trial:

•Wayne Vickers, 31, from Bilberry Road in Clifton was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison

•Warrick Howkins, 37, from Allison in Letchworth was sentenced to 2 years and 9 months in prison

•Martin Hoey, 42, of no fixed address was sentenced to 4 years in prison

•Glen Ross, 28, from Mercia Road in Baldock was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in prison

•Scott Marler, 29, of Jackmans Place in Letchworth was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in prison

•Calvin Rowley, 29, of Ralph Swingler Place in Letchworth was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in prison

•Martin Brothers, 29, from Station Road in Letchworth was sentenced to 1 year and 9 months in prison

•Robin Wallace, 46, from Brampton Park Road in Hitchin was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison.