‘You’ve caught us – bang to rights’ says cannabis dealer as police raid uncovers £69,000 Sunderland drug farm

Mark Stevens grew and sold thousands of pounds worth of cannabis from his Sunderland home over a four-month period.

Officers were called to the 46-year-old’s address on Thomas Street South, in Ryhope, in December 2019 after an energy supplier raised suspicions about the use of electricity.

When the house was searched, they found more than 60 cannabis plants in various stages of growth, with the electricity by-passed.

After he was arrested, Stevens brazenly admitted his guilt – telling officers he was “bang to rights” over the discovery.

However, further inquiries led police to learn there had been two previous harvests of the cannabis farm in July and November that year.

Stevens initially refuted the suggestion, but Northumbria Police said with the weight of evidence against him overwhelming, he admitted he was also behind the previous yields - with the operation having an estimated combined value of up to £69,000.

The cannabis dealer had also racked up more than £1,300 in unpaid bills and damages to the meter.

On Monday, Stevens admitted three counts of producing a Class B drug and a further count of abstracting electricity at Newcastle Crown Court.

He was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years, and 210 hours of unpaid work.

Detective Sergeant Chris Raper-Smith, who oversaw the investigation, said: “This was a substantial drugs operation worth tens of thousands of pounds that was being run in the very heart of our community.

“Not only was this an illicit farm, but with the electricity having been bypassed, it also posed a significant fire risk that could have led to devastating and potentially fatal consequences for anyone inside or families living in neighbouring properties.

“Nobody wants to live next to a potential death trap, and that’s why it’s absolutely imperative that these sophisticated drug farms are identified, located and swiftly dismantled.

“These drugs often end up in the hands of the most vulnerable in our communities, which then can have a further effect when users turn to crime to feed their addiction.”

The force is part of the regional Operation Sentinel campaign to combat serious and organised crime.

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