Drug farm criminal 'flaunted wealth' - police

A man linked to a cannabis farm worth more than £25,000 has been jailed.

David Hallett was sentenced to five years and six months in prison at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

The 41-year-old, of Huddersfield Road in Meltham, had previously pleaded guilty to producing cannabis, conspiracy to produce cannabis, possession of criminal property and a money-laundering offence.

West Yorkshire Police said Hallett's "downfall" was, in part, prompted by him "flaunting" his newfound wealth.

A cannabis factory containing plants worth up to £26,080 was discovered on Greenhead Lane in Dalton and subsequently linked to Hallett, while a bundle of cash amounting to more than £28,000 was found at his home during the police investigation.

The defendant laundered the drugs cash through payments to his personal bank account and through spending large amounts on the redevelopment of a number of properties he owned, officers said.

Hallett was also found guilty of possession with intent to supply cocaine, following a trial last year.

At the sentencing on Friday, his wife, Kelly Hallett, 40, also of Huddersfield Road in Meltham, was sentenced to a community order after admitting a money-laundering offence.

His associate, 44-year-old John Spencer, of Ainley Road in Huddersfield, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to a money-laundering offence and two drugs offences.

Det Ch Insp Ian Thornes said: "It is striking that part of the reason this criminality came to police attention was tip-offs from within communities that David Hallett was up to no good.

"Many of us do not like to see people profit from crime - and David Hallett's flaunting of a wealth he could not possibly have legally obtained was a key factor in the downfall of his organisation."

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