Why it matters: The network, run largely by Ipswich men, operated three cannabis factories and seized cocaine with a street value of £1.5 million. Police say the group "exploited vulnerable individuals" and caused significant harm to local communities.
The big picture: Seven men have been sentenced following a lengthy investigation by Suffolk Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit. Five are from Ipswich, with the remaining two from Chelmsford and Nottingham. All seven pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis between September 2024 and July 2025.
The details: Police identified three cannabis factories linked to the group. The first, at Lavender Hill in Ipswich, was discovered on 1 April 2025, where approximately 230 plants were found. Surveillance established that Dean Yule, 52, of Kemball Street, Ipswich, and Michael Harty, 55, of Chelmsford, made repeated visits to the site.
A second factory at Waterloo Road in Ipswich contained 705 cannabis plants, discovered in May 2025. Officers entering the premises found a temporary living area occupied by Hoang Hai, 38, who police established had been transported to Ipswich by individuals connected to the group and coerced into tending to the plants. Hai was sentenced to 44 weeks in prison in October 2025.
A third factory in Crowfield contained 120 young cannabis plants, also seized in May 2025. It was here that Haydon Grey, 35, of Cardiff Avenue, Ipswich, and Warren Sherman, 25, of Sheldrake Drive, Ipswich, were arrested after being observed clearing the site alongside Robin Southgate, 55, of Portland Way, Ipswich. Police enquiries also established that Yule, Southgate, and Grey had attempted to secure a fourth site near Eye, where they planned to grow cannabis on the land.
On 11 April 2025, Harty was arrested in Essex, and a search of his bedroom in Brentwood led to the seizure of cocaine worth approximately £1.5 million. A container in Crowfield was identified as a suspected cocaine store used by Yule, who made repeated short visits there in suspected drug dealing transactions. On 1 July 2025, officers arrested Yule, Southgate, and John Leighton, 36, of New Cut East, Ipswich, and seized a significant quantity of cocaine from the container.
During coordinated warrants on 1 July 2025, police also seized cannabis, cocaine, cultivation equipment, mobile phones, and luxury goods from addresses linked to the defendants, including Yule's home, Southgate's residence, Leighton's boat on Ipswich Marina, and units at Broomvale Farm and Woodfarm Business Centre. Tuan Nguyen, 29, of Blue Bell Hill Road, Nottingham, was arrested in September 2025 and subsequently charged.
The sentences: Harty received the heaviest sentence of 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis, being involved in the supply of cocaine, possession of criminal property, and production of class B drugs. Yule was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, and possession of criminal property. Southgate, who also pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property, received four years and two months. Nguyen received 30 months.
Leighton received a 10-month sentence, suspended for 18 months. Grey, who also admitted dangerous driving, received a 15-month suspended sentence. Sherman received a community order for 18 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
What they're saying: DC Chris Townrow of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: "The sentencing of these seven individuals sends out a clear message that we will robustly deal with individuals that are involved in organised criminality and those that blight our communities by dealing drugs.
"This group operated sophisticated, commercial-level cannabis factories and exploited vulnerable individuals. Their actions brought harm to our communities and generated illegal profit."
Det Sgt Nick Shirley, also of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, added: "This investigation is the result of tireless teamwork to lock up a group of career criminals. The fact they all pleaded guilty at an early stage demonstrates the compelling and comprehensive case that was built by the OIC and the wider team, and demonstrates that Suffolk Constabulary will not tolerate the threat posed by serious and organised criminals operating in Suffolk and beyond."
The bottom line: A large-scale drug operation that spanned cannabis factories and a multimillion-pound cocaine supply chain has been dismantled, with seven men convicted.
