Three men who turned disused industrial units into a cannabis farm valued at around £500,000 have been jailed for a combined total of 24 years and six months.
Ross Blackshaw, Christopher Robb and Keith Gartshore ran the “sophisticated scheme” from converted buildings in Dalmarnock, Glasgow.
They were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after having earlier pled guilty to a number of drug supply charges and having links to organised crime gangs.
An earlier hearing, prosecutors told how Blackshaw, 37, Gartshore, 42, both of Glasgow, and Robb, 35, of Cambuslang, were involved in the “large-scale cannabis cultivation” at several of the connected units.
When police raided the premises in February 2020, they found a total of 873 plants in the units, which had dozens of lights and fans rigged up.
Many of the pots contained individual plants.
Gartshore and Robb also admitted charges of possessing proceeds of crime.
Sentencing the trio, Lord Scott said: "Your involvement was certainly more than passing. It is also apparent that this was a sophisticated operation. "Whatever the positions, each of you contributed in a considerable manner. It is your choices that have put each of you in this position."
He imposed a nine years and three months jail term on Gartshore.
Blackshaw was sent to prison for eight years and six months, while Robb was sentenced to six years and nine months.
Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework, commented that the raid and prosecution had resulted in a substantial quantity of drugs being removed from the supply chain.
She said: “Drug trafficking remains the largest criminal market in Scotland. This illegal activity inflicts widespread harm and has a damaging impact on communities throughout Scotland.
“This was a significant quantity of illegal drugs which has been removed from the streets.
"These three men went to great lengths to transform these units into a drug farm and the custodial sentences reflect the gravity of the offences.
“We continue to bring those who are involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs in Scotland to justice.”
We continue to bring those who are involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs in Scotland to justice.
Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework