A FOOTBALL manager who set up a £300,000 family cannabis business running drug farms across Lancashire and Manchester has been jailed for four and a half years.

Kenny Langford, 47, former manager of Darwen AFC, claimed he started growing cannabis when his dry lining company started to feel the recession bite.

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His sons Daniel, 24, and Ben, 27, also played their part in the lucrative family cannabis business set up by their father in 2014.

Officers swooped on properties in Darwen, Pendlebury and the Ribble Valley unearthing hundreds of cannabis plants growing in sophisticated set ups.

At one house in Clitheroe Road, Whalley, owned by restaurateur Nicola Ricioppo, they found drugs with a street value of £139,000.

In Alpha Street, Darwen, they discovered £75,500 of cannabis and at another property in St John’s Street, Pendlebury, they found £48,000 and there were several other smaller farms.

Electricity had been bypassed and specialist lighting, ventilation and feeding systems were in place.

Preston Crown Court heard Langford, of Cranberry Fold Court, played a hands on role in the running of the enterprise, buying hydroponic equipment and paying others a wage to look after the crop.

Judge Anthony Russell QC, sentencing, said: “Kenneth Langford was at the top of this operation. He was observed on a number of occasions by the police at a number of the premises.

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“Darren Burrows was involved on a regular basis and was observed on numerous occasions at various premises.

“Benjamin Langford grew cannabis at his address and there is evidence connecting him to other addresses where cannabis was being produced - he was the landlord of Jonathon Taylor.

“The quantity of cannabis seized overall was such that it was apparent it was a commercial enterprise.”

Daniel Langford, 24, of Priory Grange, was linked to two addresses where cannabis was being grown and played a supporting role, the court heard.

Restauranteur Ricioppo, 67, became involved when his marriage broke down and his restaurant business collapsed, the court heard and Jonathon Taylor, 34, allowed his home to be used by his landlord to grow the drug for a six month period.

Michael Yates, 67, of Holmfield Avenue, Blackpool, watered the plants, the court was told.

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Judge Russell said: “Although cannabis is a class B drug and some don’t regard it as a very dangerous drug, the fact is that it is illegal to become involved in the production of cannabis.”

He jailed Langford for four and a half years; Burrows, 40, of Anyon Street, for three years; Ben Langford for two years and nine months; Daniel Langford, of Priory Grange, for two years and three months; Ricioppo for two years and three months; Taylor, four and a half months suspended for two years; and Yates three months suspended for two years with supervision and a six week curfew.