Luton drug dealers jailed after police seize more than £1 million worth of cannabis
The three men were sentenced to a total 18 years in prison.
Three Luton men who were involved in a large-scale cannabis growing operation have been jailed for a combined total of 18 years. The sentencing comes after an investigation by Bedfordshire police.
The investigation was started after officers stopped a vehicle in Luton that smelt strongly of cannabis in October 2024. A search of the vehicle uncovered 18 bags of cannabis and a quantity of cash, leading to the arrest of Michael Murphy and Shane Porter. Police later released them under investigation while they continued their enquiries.
A short time later, officers stopped and searched John Miller under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act due to his suspected involvement in cannabis cultivation. Subsequently police established links between Miller, Murphy and Porter.
After making those initial arrests, officers from the force’s Operation Costello team used search warrants at properties in Luton and Millbrook. At one of the addresses they searched, 13 cultivation rooms were discovered containing more than 1,200 mature cannabis plants which were estimated by drug experts to be worth up to £1.1 million.
Officers then used further warrants to search addresses in Luton and Dunstable. They resulted in the seizure of additional cannabis, approximately £20,000 in cash, and several expensive designer items believed to be linked to the criminal activity.
The three men all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to produce cannabis, and on Wednesday (23rd of September), were sentenced at Luton Crown Court.
- Shane Porter, 45, of Yeovil Road, Luton, was given a total of seven years and 10 months.
- Micheal Murphy, 34, of Tower Road, Luton, received seven years in total.
- John Miller, 29, of Turners Road North, was handed a four year sentence.
Detective Sergeant Tracey Joyce from Operation Costello said: “We remain relentless in our efforts to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal networks, and these three men are the latest individuals to face justice as part of our ongoing campaign against those who facilitate large-scale drug production.
“The harm caused by drugs and organised crime cannot be overstated. They blight our communities, fuel anti-social behaviour, contribute to serious violence and knife crime, and exploit some of the most vulnerable people in society.
“Operation Costello takes a robust, intelligence-led approach to tackling organised crime at every level. We target not only those directly involved in criminal activity, such as large-scale cannabis cultivation and anti-social behaviour, but also the professional enablers who help these networks operate by supplying materials, services or premises.
“However, policing alone cannot solve this problem. We need the support of our communities to help identify and disrupt criminal activity. What may appear to be a minor issue, such as persistent anti-social behaviour, can often be a sign of wider organised criminality. By reporting concerns, residents play a vital role in helping us tackle these networks at their source and make our neighbourhoods safer for everyone.”