Two men from Barton-under-Needwood and one from Burntwood are among 11 people convicted for their part in a major cannabis production.
The group were charged after a five-month investigation into the group, who were based at a Lincolnshire farm.
Nine of them pleaded guilty and two others were convicted by jurors following a two-month trial at Stafford Crown Court. Two men were also acquitted.
The investigation uncovered a complex set-up in huge barns at the farm in Castle Bytham with a potential annual cannabis yield worth around £2.75 million.
As well as over 800 cannabis plants, officers discovered 1,600 empty buckets prepared for drug cultivation. The barns had undergone extensive adaptation – costing around £1.4 million – with generators, fans, lighting and ventilation equipment installed.
The farm’s owner Iain Brown, from Chichester, Sussex, (60) was convicted of conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis. His son Bruce Brown (31), from Castle Bytham, was found not guilty of conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis.
Desmond Bayliss (40), from Toxteth in Liverpool, was convicted of conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis while Russell Nicholls (32), from Bilston, was found not guilty of conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis.
All four men had denied the charges.
Details of the other men’s charges are as follows:
Neil Bridges (35), from Hammerwich, Burntwood, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis, while Paul Hicks (40), from Solihull, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis. Peter Bassett (46), from Rugeley, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis.
Robert Eyland (34), from Minworth, near Sutton Coldfield, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis. John Stacey (46), from Sutton Coldfield, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis. Andrew Stacey (28), from Sutton Coldfield, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis.
Tony Mobbs (46), from Barton under Needwood, admitted conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis. Barry Brearley (65), from West Bromwich, admitted conspiracy to produce cannabis. Shane Breen (37), from Barton under Needwood, admitted the production of cannabis.
Detective Chief Inspector Jane Hewett, from Staffordshire Police, said: “The convictions are the culmination of an extensive investigation to thwart a large-scale, cannabis growing enterprise.
“This organised crime group, who had criminal links nationwide, was setting up one of the country’s biggest cannabis factory set-ups. They would meet on a car park off the A38 at Barton under Needwood before travelling to the farm.
“Excellent work by officers from our Serious and Organised Crime Unit meant we were able to thwart the enterprise in its early stages. We are also grateful for the support we had from our colleagues in Lincolnshire.
“Operation Nemesis is continuing to bring drug dealers to justice across the county. This court result sends another clear message to people who are foolish enough to even think of dealing in drugs in Staffordshire: you will not get away with it.
“There is no doubt that several of these offenders were living lavish lifestyles funded by drug crime. Significant amounts of cash were seized during the arrest operation and we will now use the Proceeds of Crime Act to strip them of every pound possible.”
The men will be sentenced at a later date.
