A total of 31 people are due to be sentenced this week in connection with a major burglary and cannabis conspiracy worth hundreds of thousands of pounds across East Lancashire.

The conspiracies, which spanned a 14-month period between 2020 and the beginning of 2022 included 20 instances of drug burglaries - known as taxing - in which multiple kilograms of cannabis were stolen from properties across Burnley, Padiham and Colne, as well as the production of cannabis inside at least three addresses worth more than £150,000.

Several of the defendants were in charge of growing the cannabis within the properties, with others responsible for stealing grows from other gangs, with one such ‘taxing’ incident resulted in gun shots being fired in Salus Street, Burnley, in February 2021.

READ MORE: Eight men to be sentenced over Burnley cannabis farm shooting

Other defendants were involved in the dealing of the drugs on the streets of East Lancashire, while two of the gang members laundered more than £50,000 in cash as part of the conspiracy.

The gang was taken down in 2022 by police, under the umbrella of Operation Alberta.

Their ages range from from 22 to 61 years old, with the majority of the defendants having extensive criminal records, though a few do have no previous convictions.

They come across East Lancashire, with addresses listed in Burnley, Briercliffe, Colne, Padiham, Nelson and Trawden, with one also coming from Queensferry in Wales.

All defendants will be sentenced for their involvement in the operation later this week.

They are:

  • Faizan Khan, 24, of Colne Road Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Robert Ganley, 29, of Hargher Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis, as well as acquiring criminal property.
  • Joshua Watson, 31, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Michael Kent, 22, of Ravens Grove, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis, as well as handling stolen goods.
  • Connor Sears, 23, of Elm Street, Colne, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Jonathon Royal, 30, of Cameron Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis as well as possession of a Taser.
  • Daniel Leach, 30, of Castle Hill Street, Queensferry, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of an imitation firearm.
  • Kyle Snaith, 28, of Windermere Avenue, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Jamie Spencer, 34, of Blacker Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.
  • Steven Howe, 54, of Burnley Road, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to money laundering.
  • Sean Mortimer, 43, of Windermere Avenue, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Jordan Pritchard, 30, of Ingham Street, Padiham, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis as well as possession with intent to supply cannabis.
  • Michael Brennan, 33, of Lancaster Drive, Padiham, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Aaron Pierce, 37, of Wycollar Avenue, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Adeel Hussain, 25, Nicholl Street, Burnley, who was convicted after trial of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Nauman Ali, 23, of Roberts Street, Nelson, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.
  • Eldon Ashworth, 46, of Burnley Road, Briercliffe, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.
  • Stewart Burn, 56, of Towneley Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.
  • Gareth Conway, 43, of Reed Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Luke Craig, 34, of Griffin Close, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
  • Liam Heaton, 28, of St Matthew’s Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Samuel Watson, 41, of Union Street, Brierfield, who was convicted after trial of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Martin Crawford, 31, of Heather Bank, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
  • Zakir Khan, 29, of Broad Street, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Rennie Rossiter, 24, of Holme Crescent, Trawden, Colne, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Callum Duffy, 27, no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Stephen Forsyth, 44, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, who was convicted after trial of conspiracy to produce cannabis and money laundering.
  • David Vallender, 61, of no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
  • Karlis Pinksis, 28, of no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to produce cannabis.
  • Jamie Mason, 24, of Leyland Road, Burnley, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.
  • Orfe Spahaj, 27, of no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and driving while disqualified.

A 32nd person, Oliver Spencer, 25, of Humber Square, Burnley, will also be sentenced alongside Jamie Spencer for an unrelated matter.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in respect of Vallender, Jamie Watson, Faizan Khan, Ganley, Howe and Forsyth, will take place next year.