SEVEN men have been sentenced following an intelligence-led operation into the cultivation and sale of cannabis.

In October 2011 officers from Suffolk executed a search warrant at a suspected cannabis factory at a warehouse in Clacton, Essex. Around 250 plants were seized along with growing equipment including lights and hydroponics.

The operation also saw a property in Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich searched and more than 100 cannabis plants seized, again along with growing equipment including lights and hydroponics.

Seven men were arrested in relation to drug related offences and in January 2012 they were charged by police.

Today, they were sentenced at Norwich Crown Court – three receiving prison terms.

- Ian Lowe, 41, from Garrison Lane, Felixstowe, was convicted of conspiring to produce cannabis. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.

- Nigel Beales, 46, from Rushmere Road, Ipswich, was convicted of conspiring to produce cannabis. He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

- David Heslop, 39, from Burrell Road, Ipswich, was convicted of conspiring to produce cannabis, possessing a controlled Class A drug and possessing a controlled Class B drug. He was sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment.

- Steven Tibbenham, 47, from Henslow Road, Ipswich, was convicted of conspiring to produce cannabis. He was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence.

- Mark Bane, 46, from Mascot Court, Clacton-on-Sea, was convicted of conspiring to produce cannabis. He was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence.

- Stuart Bloomfield, 37, from Crow Lane, Clacton-on-Sea, was sentenced to a 15-month suspended sentence for conspiring to produce cannabis.

- Keith Walker, 43, from Cotswold Road, Clacton-on-sea, was also sentenced to a 15-month suspended sentence for conspiring to produce cannabis.