A company called Elev8 Civils & Utilities was set-up allowing the gang to work in liveried vans giving the appearance they were engaged in legitimate utilities work.

The men wore high visibility clothing and used signage to close roads but the gang were digging up pavements to access live mains connections which they then spliced to run a direct feed to properties they had earmarked for cannabis cultivation.

Eight men were sentenced to more than 28 years at Liverpool Crown Court.Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after police uncovered more than 100 cannabis farms, and seized cannabis plants with a potential street value of up to £21m.

As part of “Operation Spark” officers seized various diggers, breakers, generators, vans, motorcycles, and cabling at the firm’s Wigan depot.

Ross McGinn and Andrew Roberts were registered as Elev8’s company directors. They played a leading role in the conspiracy, running the day-to-day business. They liased with other crime groups and directed the work to be carried out.

Graham Roberts played a key role in the operation as a skilled jointer responsible for splicing and connecting the live cable to run the new feed to the premises for the intended cannabis production.

Michael Ashurst, Greg Black, Lewin Charles, Aiden Durand, and Jack Sherry were all groundworkers for the OCG, responsible for digging up the roads and exposing cables.

Colin White, a former Scottish Power employee, stole equipment from the Liverpool depot to provide the vital cabelling equipment they needed to carry out the works.

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit Operation’s Team said:  “This crime group ran a highly sophisticated but dangerous operation, operating out of fake utility vans, which allowed them to work all over the country without raising suspicion.

“In WhatsApp conversations, we uncovered chats where group members sent pictures of injuries they had received ‘on site’ following electrical explosions.

“Andrew Roberts posted a picture of himself with injuries to his face after failing to connect something properly, causing an explosion that resulted in burns. This highlights the dangerous and reckless nature of their activities.

“In total we uncovered more than 100 cannabis farms, with a potential street value of more than £21m. This investigation has dismantled a significant criminal network, preventing a significant amount of drugs from reaching our streets and blighting our communities. I hope today’s sentencing sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such organised crime in our communities.”