Shropshire international drug smuggling plot netted about £59m
David North was among members of an international cannabis smuggling plot run from a Shropshire wholesale flower business, with profits believed to run to about £59 million.
North and Baan Klootwijk, 49, a Dutch national, led the gang based at the premises of Baan Flower Trading in Market Drayton.
Drug dealer Mark Ballinger, 33, from Hampshire, is also said to have shared in the multi-million profits from the large scale enterprise.
The trio have all been the subject of a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation by West Mercia police.
In June 2014, Klootwijk, of London Road, Nantwich, who had sourced the drugs through contacts in Holland, was jailed for eight years.
Ballinger, of Farnborough in Hampshire, who also admitted being involved in the conspiracy, was jailed for 40 months.
Ashleigh Watkin, 38, of Rowney Close, Loggerheads, described as David North's 'trusted lieutenant', who was jailed for four years, was said have had benefited by £6,200.
David Thompson, 42, a driver, of Laburnam Avenue, Cannock, was jailed for five years, as was Stuart Grant, 42, of Deansfield Road, Bearwood.
Jamie Grant, 26, of Sovereign Lane, Ashley, near Market Drayton, was jailed for 32 months and 71-year-old Barrie North, of Audlem Road, Woore, near Loggerheads, was sentenced to for two years.
Baan Flower Trading on the Adderley Road Industrial Estate in Market Drayton, was a front for the operation.
Dozens of cardboard boxes containing hundreds of kilos of cannabis were ferried by lorry from Holland hidden among cartons of fresh flowers.
Cannabis was distributed to dealers across the country, including Manchester, London, Liverpool and the south of England and had a potential street value estimated at £200 million.
