THREE Worcester cannabis producers who grew the drug in shipping containers buried underground, have been ordered to pay more than £300,000 in total.

The trio pleaded guilty in September 2016 for their involvement in the production of cannabis in Blackpole Road, near to the Hindlip Lane junction, in Worcester.

A criminal investigation began when employees of Western Power Distribution were looking into irregularities with the power supply in the area. Police raided the site in October 2015.

Two 40ft long shipping containers were discovered buried below ground, with an illegal electricity connection. Whilst no plants were growing at the time, it was fully set up with lighting, fans and ventilation.

In December 2016, Judge Cole jailed James Worrall, aged 32, for 43 months; Michael Lee, 57, for 32 months; and Alexander Rogers, 33, for 29 months – all for being concerned in the production of a controlled Class B drug-cannabis.

Lee also pleaded guilty to abstracting electricity at the site between March 2014 and October 2015.

Confiscation orders for money made from the cannabis, regarding Worrall and Rogers, were resolved in March 2018. The proceedings were brought to a conclusion on Thursday September 13 by Judge Tindal at Hereford Crown Court with a confiscation order against Michael Lee.

Worrall was ordered to repay available assets of £13,979 and his benefit from his general criminal conduct was set at £142,305.

Rogers was ordered to repay available assets of £34,239 and his benefit from his criminal conduct was set at £60,000.

Lee was ordered to repay available assets of £108,885 with his benefit from general criminal conduct set at £108,885.

All outstanding benefit from criminal conduct is a lifetime debt owed until it is fully repaid.

Detective Inspector Emma Wright, of the economic crime unit, said: "West Mercia Police is committed to tackling serious and organised crime in order to protect vulnerable people from harm.

"This includes removing assets from those who have benefited from the proceeds of such crime.

"The orders granted in respect of this group represent the results of a time-consuming criminal investigation and linked financial investigation.

"The results mean those who have benefited from these offences will be stripped of their assets and demonstrate that ultimately crime does not pay."

If you would like to report any concerns about serious and organised crime in your local area, please contact police on 101.