In June 2006 a joint operation between Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit and the Guardia Civil Police based in the Alicante area of Spain began. Codenamed Operation Hazel, it targeted the importation of cannabis from Spain into the UK. In July 2006 122 kilo grams of cannabis resin, which had been destined for Preston, was seized by the Spanish authorities in the Alicante area.
After coming to Preston the cannabis was then delivered to an address in the Liverpool area. As a result five people, a man from Preston and two men and two women from Merseyside, were arrested in connection with the investigation. The Preston man and a man and woman from Merseyside were later released without charge. Margaret McGee, 48, of Grafton Street, Prenton, Merseyside was charged with conspiracy to supply a controlled drug. Thomas was charged with the same offence.
Peter Thomas, 47, of Upper Brassey Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, admitted the charge at Preston Crown Court yesterday. Both appeared at court yesterday, McGee was cleared while Thomas pleaded guilty to the charge. Thomas will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday, November 7.