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Police arrest 14 in connection with multi-million pound cannabis factory found in Canal Basin, Gravesend

Police have now arrested a total of 14 suspects in connection with a multimillion pound cannabis factory discovered in Gravesend.

Officers discovered thousands of plants growing in an industrial estate in Canal Basin last June.

This week, they raided addresses in Kent, London and Essex, arresting a further 10 people.

The cannabis plants were discovered as police carried out warrants
The cannabis plants were discovered as police carried out warrants

Four were arrested last June, two of whom have now been charged.

Michael Edward Corcoran, 49, of Mount Avenue, Yalding, Maidstone, has been charged with five counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and seven counts of conspiring to produce cannabis.

He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, and was remanded in custody until he appears at Maidstone Crown Court on April 12.

Garry McIntyre, 35, of Alfred Road, Brentwood, Essex, has been charged with three counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He has been bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 25.

A 46-year-old man and 32-year-old woman have been released without charge.

The following suspects were arrested after Monday's raids:

A 20-year-old woman, from Tonbridge, on suspicion of producing a controlled drug. She has been bailed until 25 April 2016.

Officers investigating at the scene in June
Officers investigating at the scene in June

Stephen Martin Macey, 24, of Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, was charged with five counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and six counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody until he appears at Maidstone Crown Court on April 12.

Stuart Sollis, 50, of Bowyer Street, Camberwell, London, has been charged with three counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and five counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He has been bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 25.

David Graham, 49, of Plaistow Lane, Bromley, has been charged with five counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and six counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody until he appears at Maidstone Crown Court on April 12.

Michael Corcoran, 27, of Odo Rise, Gillingham, has been charged with three counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and four counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He has been bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 25.

Police cars searching the Canal Basin back in June. Picture by Dean Beadle.
Police cars searching the Canal Basin back in June. Picture by Dean Beadle.

The following suspects were arrested after Tuesday's raids:

A 64-year-old man from Rochester, on suspicion of cultivating cannabis. He has been bailed until March 29 pending further enquiries.

David Martyn Heath, 47, of Wentworth Crescent, Peckham, London, has been charged with three counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He has been bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 25.

Stefan-Alex Henderson-Clarke, 26, of Kennedy Walk, Walworth, London, has been charged with three counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and four counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He has been bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 25.

Colin Walls, 51, of The Avenue, Gravesend, has been charged with three counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and three counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He has been bailed to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 25.

James Allen, 38, of Woolwich Road, Abbey Wood, London, has been charged with four counts of abstracting/using electricity without authority and six counts of conspiring to produce cannabis. He appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he was remanded until he appears at Maidstone Crown Court on April 12.

Detective Inspector Adam Ball said: "The warrants were carried out as part of Kent Police’s ongoing effort to disrupt possible drugs activity and as part of an ongoing investigation into a cannabis cultivation found in Gravesend last June.

"We will continue to act on information and concerns raised in the community about drugs."

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