[Sativa]

Three men have been jailed for a total of more than 17 years after an undercover police operation (operation Hornbeam) unearthed a cannabis farm, other drugs were reported to have been found and also counterfit note's in a Blackburn warehouse.

Drugs were sold to undercover officers at various places including a fast food restaurant car park in Accrington, and the Last Orders pub in Oswaltwistle, where police first met dealers.

Brian Fitzharris, 36, of Craven Street, Accrington, was jailed for nine years, and Kevin Barski, 36, of George Street, Accrington, got five years each after admitting a series of offences including conspiricy, cultivation and sale's of drugs.

Michael Hartley, 59, of Snowden Avenue, Blackburn, was sent to prison for three years and three months after admitting his part in the cannabis conspiracy.

Two other men, Shaun Shorrock, 39, of Sulby Road, Blackburn, and Kenneth Burrows, 62, of Alexander Close, Clayton-le-Moors, were both given suspended 50-week jail sentences.They were also ordered to do 100 hours community work for their involvement in the cannabis factory at a mill in Newton Street, Blackburn.

Preston Crown court was told that at the mill police found cannabis plants and equipment to grow the drug.During the invest-igation, officers were sold drugs and conversations taped, the court was told.

Alexandra Simmonds, prosecuting, told the court how Operation Hornbeam was set up in August 2005 and officers started frequenting the Last Orders Pub on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

After the case, Det Insp Dermott Horrigan, said: "These sentences should send a clear message to those who wish to engage in such destructive activity within our communities that their actions will not be tolerated.
Whilst the rewards may seem attractive, the reality is that they will be caught, convicted and sentenced to a significant term of imprisonment.

Our aim is to engage with our communities in order to rid ourselves of this blight."


News Hawk: Shadylady http://www.420magazine.com
Source: Lancashire Telegraph, England
Author: David Watkinson
Contact: dwatkinson@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk
Copyright: Newsquest Media Group
Website: Cannabis Gang Is Jailed For 17 Years