Men from Wigan and Liverpool diverted electricity to 54 cannabis farms, enabling large scale crime. They stole £250,000 power.
Police uncovered the operation during a search in Bangor, Wales. They discovered many cannabis plants in an empty shop, which was stealing its electricity. Detectives tracked a van from the shop to a company near Wigan.
The company was Elev8 Civils and Utilities Ltd. They claimed they built water projects. This was their cover for the illegal stuff.
Cops investigated Elev8 and found eight of the ten men involved. Most were company directors or workers. Ross McGinn and Andrew Roberts headed the company. Graham Roberts, Greg Black, and others worked there.
For three years, these guys diverted electricity at fifty-four different cannabis farms, and they used WhatsApp to talk about “work.” It was all a big criminal plan.
Ross McGinn got over five years in jail. He set up the illegal work and directed the others. Andrew Roberts, who secured six years, also directed stuff and knew about cables from a past job.
Graham Roberts, called “Ganny,” was a skilled electrician. He received five years and three months for connecting the power lines to the farms. Greg Black got three years for supervising jointing.
Michael Ashurst prepared cables and fixed holes. Lewin Charles, Aiden Doran, and Jack Sherry also did ground work. They each earned sentences ranging from two years to suspended jail time.
Colin White worked for Scottish Power. He used his job to grab equipment and got over two years in jail. Luke Whenary linked the gang to other crime groups and set up the Bangor job.
They stole about £250,000 worth of electricity, which powered about £7 million worth of cannabis. Stolen Scottish Power stuff was found at Colin’s place, and was worth over £5,000.
The men pleaded guilty in court to various crimes, including assisting offenses and stealing electricity. Eight men later received over 28 years total. Two others will be sentenced soon.
Prosecutors stated the gang enabled serious crime and posed as utility workers, fooling many people. They aided Albanian groups in setting up illegal farms, and their electrical work was poor and risky.