The biggest ever cannabis prosecution saw five Manchester men jailed on Friday after they transported a staggering £80million of marijuana into the country.
Operation Bizarre, launched in 2011, saw West Yorkshire Police target gangs who supplied and distributed cannabis throughout the North of England.
More than eight million pounds worth of cannabis was seized with evidence gathered in relation to previous shipments from The Netherlands containing as much as 20 tonnes of cannabis with an estimated street value of £80million.
Temporary Detective Inspector Phil Little, of West Yorkshire’s Crime Division, said: “This was a long and complex investigation with officers conducting enquiries throughout the UK and Holland in order to gather the evidence necessary to show the full extent of the defendants’ criminality.
“These men were involved in the distribution and supply of millions of pounds worth of cannabis and the action taken has made sure that a significant amount of the Class B drug will not be sold on the streets of north England.
“The Judge said this was the largest ever prosecution for cannabis supply in the UK.”
Michael Levvy, 44, of Ealing Place, was jailed for 12 years, Ian Thompson, 42, of Langdale Court, for five years, Carmello Anthony Abela, 53 of Hillside View, Tameside, for 18 years and Geno Abela, 42, of Stainton Avenue, for 15 years.
Rizwan Safdar, 30, of Crompton Street, Oldham, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class B drug and was sentenced to 20 months.
Four men from Bradford and a man from Milton Keynes have already been sentenced for their part in the large scale cannabis supply.
In December 2011, police seized around 50 kilos of cannabis, worth £422,450, from a vehicle which was stopped on the M67.
Investigations led to Roe Cross Industrial Estate, Mottram, being identified as where the cannabis was supplied from and it was during a search of these premises that a link was made to a cold storage company in County Durham.
A 1.8 tonne shipment of cannabis, valued at £7,819,645, was discovered at the cold store hidden in a cover load of frozen meat.
Police linked Carmello and Geno Abela to a fake transport company used to carry the cannabis with13 previous shipments used to ship as much as 20 tonnes of cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £80 million.
DI Little added: “We will actively pursue those involved in the supply of illegal drugs and work across borders with other forces to ensure offenders are brought to justice.
“We would like to thank our colleagues in Greater Manchester Police for their assistance in this operation and the successful convictions that have resulted.
“In addition to the lengthy custodial sentences which these individuals now face we are also making sure their crimes will not pay by stripping them of the profits and assets of their offending under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
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