TWO men who ran Lancing's "cannabis café" were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court today (Friday, February 5).
Michael Allday, 44, of Leconfield Road, Lancing, and Lee Russell, 41, of Ethelwulf Road, Worthing, were convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis by a jury last year.
Today they were sentenced to three years and 18 months in prison respectively.
Wendy Edwards, 40, of Haybourn Road, Brighton, and Sebastian Flynn, 21, of Ringmer Road, Worthing, pleaded guilty on the first day of their trial in November.
Edwards was given a nine month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and Flynn was given an 80-hour community service order and an 18-month supervision order.
Organised crimeThe "cannabis café" saga started in January, 2007, when Sussex Police received reports that an industrial unit was being used to sell cannabis.
All the defendants were charged in October 2008.
The court heard Allday and Russell were actively involved in the management of the café while Edwards was caught supplying drugs to undercover police officers and Flynn assisted at the premises.
Detective sergeant Jason Turner said: "This result is very satisfying for all the officers that have worked on the case that has been long and protracted.
"A full range of police tactics were deployed to disrupt and dismantle an organised crime group distributing and profitting from the sale of cannabis.
"By shutting the cafe the local community has been allowed to return to normality and the dealing of controlled drugs removed from their doorstep."
-------------------------------------
Click here for more Lancing news.Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.ukWant to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.