Six jailed in cannabis factory conspiracy in Weston

Six men have been sentenced at Bristol Crown Court for their part in a drugs conspiracy operating in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare this week. 

Paul Guest, aged 52, was jailed yesterday for two years eight months along with his son Toby Guest, 24, who was jailed for four years, 10 months for conspiracy to cultivate cannabis and two counts of possessing cocaine with intent to supply. 

Howard Blake, 42, was sentenced to two years, seven months imprisonment and Christian Davies, 33, was sentenced to two years two months. 

Anthony Byfield, 30, and from Staple Hill was handed a sentence of four years six months and Jack Taylor, 18, was handed a one year rehabilitation order with 110 hours unpaid work and probation supervision. 

During the investigation officers from Avon and Somerset serious crime group seized £15,000 worth of cannabis from a property belonging to Paul Guests' company on Park Row, Bristol. 

Benzocaine, commonly used as a cutting agent for cocaine, and destined for the property on Park Row was also seized by officers in Northamptonshire. 

Toby Guest was also stopped by police with nine bags of cocaine and cash. 

Warrants executed at Mendip Road, Weston-super-Mare and Hampstead Road, Brislington also resulted in the seizure of 92 cannabis plants and scales contaminated with cocaine.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Deane said: "Drugs and associated crime can have a devastating effect on our communities and people's lives and will not be tolerated. 

"There is no refuge in Avon and Somerset for anyone involved in the drugs trade.

"This operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling cannabis across our force area and raising awareness about its links with harder drugs.

"I would like to thank those members of the public who continue to provide us with vital information. Anyone with any information on drug dealing in their area can report it to the police by calling 101.

"You can also visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/avonandsomersetpolice or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Operation Viscount is an ongoing campaign across Avon and Somerset to tackle the cultivation of cannabis. 

The following are some of the tell tale signs of properties being used for growing cannabis. They include: Windows permanently covered from the inside 

• Visits to the premises at unusual times of the day or night;
• People visiting just to "maintain" the house;
• Daily or weekly calls at the house by people who stay for a short time;
• Black bin bags or laundry bags being taken away • Compost bags or gardening equipment left outside, usually at the rear of the premises;
• Vents protruding through the roof or a rear window;
• Strange, pungent smells from the premises; and
• Unusual noises from equipment such as cooling fans. 

Police warn people never approach to a house they are concerned could be a cannabis factory but to call your local officer or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.