A ‘highly organised crime family’ responsible for running cannabis factories around Northamptonshire have been sent to prison for a total of more than 10 years.
Four men have pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court to the production of class B drugs.
On September 6, 2012, more than 40 officers carried out Operation Insight which led to a small cannabis factory being discovered in Nether Heyford and a large scale enterprise in Shelton Farm, East Haddon.
Officers discovered that the family was also involved in several major crimes, including handling a stolen caravan valued at £9,000, found when one of the farms was raided.
It had originally been stolen from Bugbrooke some time between August 17 and 18.
William Fury, aged 47, from Southfield Avenue, Northampton, was sentenced to three years and four months.
William Fury Junior, aged 26, from Southfield Avenue, Northampton, was sentenced to three years and two months.
Joseph Fury, aged 32, from Southfield Avenue, Northampton, was sentenced to three years and two months.
The fourth man, Daniel Stojanovic, aged 25, from Rosebery Avenue, Northampton, was sentenced to one year and six months.
A fifth man, Clive Lawrence, aged 68, from Shelton Farm, East Haddon, Northampton was also arrested during the investigation.
His farm was being used by the Fury’s to grow cannabis, which he was unaware of.
When the warrant was executed at his farm house, officers found firearms and ammunition. He was charged with three firearms related offences and was sentenced to a total of six years in prison suspended for two years and given a three month supervision order.
Assistant Chief Constable Martin Jelley, said: “This was a well organised crime group who set-up a sophisticated cannabis factory which had the capabilities of producing over £1.2 million pounds of cannabis per year.
“This operation has been successful in stopping a significant amount of drugs being supplied onto the streets. People who deal in drugs can expect the full force of the law bought down on them. This type of crime will not be tolerated.”
Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, has made the battle against drug-crime in local communities one of his top priorities. He said: “I very much welcome these convictions, and the hard work of the officers who were involved.
“Recently, we have further strengthened police resources to fight drug related and serious crime. I look forward to further successes.”
Full report and further reaction in tomorrow’s Chronicle & Echo
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