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The unusual sight of a group of workmen digging up a high street in front of a former clothes shop turned out to be the beginning of a major police investigation that exposed an international criminal conspiracy. The former Ethel Austin store in Bangor, North Wales, was discovered to house a large-scale cannabis farm valued at over £1.2m. What seemed like routine roadwork activities were actually criminals connecting the building to the mains supply to power the illegal drug operation inside.
Upon raiding the cannabis farm, police found two Albanian men hiding, claiming they were trafficked into the country to tend to the 1,000 plants inside. The gang responsible for this operation disguised themselves as workmen and traveled across England and Wales, connecting various buildings to the mains supply for illegal activities. Elev8 Civils and Utilities Ltd, the registered utility company used by the gang, turned out to be involved in operations in 54 locations throughout the country, diverting electricity to empty houses, pubs, shops, and nightclubs.
The case, known as Operation Spark, uncovered the extent of criminal exploitation and modern slavery tied to organized drug cultivation. The individuals involved, including Ross McGinn and Andrew Roberts, were found to be professional enablers for organized crime, diverting electricity in a dangerous and poor manner. The issue of human trafficking, especially regarding Albanian gangs, was highlighted, shedding light on the inhumane conditions victims were forced to endure at the cannabis farms.
Following the investigation, arrests were made in a series of coordinated raids across northern England, leading to the sentencing of several individuals involved. The severity of their crimes and involvement in the illegal drug trade and electricity abstraction resulted in varying jail sentences for each offender. The case served as a stark reminder of the lengths to which criminal syndicates would go to carry out their illegal operations, often at the expense of human lives and safety
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