By An organised crime gang who ran a £500,000 cannabis growing operation in a former Grimsby bank are facing jail following the conclusion of proceedings at Grimsby Crown Court.
Evaldas Medelis, 29 and Laminonas Navickas, 23, admitted the production of cannabis.
However, Karolis Rusevicius, 27, of Mapperley Plains, Nottingham, (no picture available), was found guilty of production of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, two counts of possession of criminal property and possession of a firearm and ammunition following a four day trial.
The well-established operation had been uncovered after a member of the public reported seeing a suspicious vehicle at the empty Bethlehem Street property and a prominent smell of cannabis.
Checks on the van revealed it had been reported stolen and it was stopped by Humberside Police a short time later.
Medelis and Navickas were arrested after 80 cannabis plants were found in the back of the vehicle.
A subsequent search of the building uncovered a number of growing spaces, with hundreds of plants up to 3ft high, along with an advanced lighting and watering system.
Officers also discovered a disguised hatch leading into the kitchen of the neighbouring flat, where it was evident the growers had been living.
Forensic evidence found in the buildings led to Rusevicius, who was living in a £600,000 property in Nottinghamshire.
DC Philip Jacobs, who led the investigation, linked with colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police where Rusevicius was arrested by their teams.
He was caught in the middle of counting out £20,000 in cash, while a further search of the property uncovered a handgun, live ammunition and two large vacuum bags of cannabis.
Welcoming today’s sentencing DC Jacobs said:
“I hope this will serve as a warning to other organised crime groups that Humberside is not somewhere where their activities will be tolerated”.
“This was a very sophisticated set up – one of the largest I have ever dealt with – and in uncovering it we have prevented them from pocketing more than half a million pounds. We have also taken a gun off the streets”.
“This case also shows the importance of getting in touch with us if you have information about crime in your area – this investigation started with a call from the public to report a suspicious van”.
“You can speak to your local team, call us on our non-emergency 101 line or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you don’t want to give your name”.
Photo credits: Humberside Police
