Drugs gang jailed for Â£480,000 drugs farm operation in Hartlepool business units

Three men who stood to make tens of thousands of pounds from growing cannabis in empty business units have been jailed.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a fourth member of the gang, who failed to turn up to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court.

David Noble, Anthony Stokle, Jamie Wharton and Christopher Tobin set up a cannabis farm in two units in Hartlepool managed by Noble, the court heard.

Prosecutor Alan Armbrister said the potential annual cash yield from the 380 plants seized by police could be as much as £486,000.

“Police mounted a covert surveillance operation at a former timber yard in Brenda Road, in Hartlepool,” said Mr Armbrister.

“It was one of a number of commercial properties managed by David Noble, who was employed by the owners of the properties.

“In July of 2013, officers gained covert entry to the premises and found it was prepared for a substantial cannabis grow, with a large number of seedlings in pots, and other equipment.

“Stokle and Wharton were seen to visit, taking in scaffolding, boards, plastic sheets and rolls of tape. Noble was seen to visit on more than one occasion, allowing the others to gain entry.”