Three men who appeared today (Friday, October 1) at Mold Crown Court are beginning prison sentences for their part in the production and distribution of cannabis.
The three were brought to justice following a police investigation that was launched after officers discovered a cannabis factory at an industrial park in Kinmel Bay in June 2010.
North Wales Police welcome today’s sentences and brings to a conclusion a protracted police investigation into the unlawful activities of Mark Graham, James Simpson and Jon Dullighan.
Detective Inspector Iestyn Davies said:
“All three men played key roles in the production and distribution nationally of large quantities of cannabis which had been cultivated within three specially adapted industrial units in Kinmel Bay.
55-year-old Mark Graham of Bryn Castell, Abergele, played the most significant role as it was he who set up the enterprise and employed Simpson of Brooklands, Old Colwyn and 29-year-old Dullighan of Station Road, Talacre, in various capacities associated with production and distribution of cannabis.
When North Wales Police officers searched the premises on the Ti’r Llwyd Industrial unit on the 18th June this year they discovered a cannabis factory that had been converted into a number of rooms where plants were in various states of growth and also plants were being dried out ready for distribution. In total almost 4,700 plants were seized. North Wales Police estimate that the enterprise led to the production of cannabis with a street value in excess of £1,000,000 per annum.
This was a significant discovery which will have impacted greatly on the availability of cannabis nationally and certainly impacted on the supply of the drug to parts of the UK.
“North Wales Police have subsequently identified significant assets belonging to Graham and 33-year-old Simpson. A financial investigation under the Drug Trafficking Act has commenced which will seek to confiscate any assets gained by the defendants as a result of criminality.”
- Mark Graham was today sentenced to 4 years imprisonment and 8 months
- Simpson was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment
- Dullinghan was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment.
