Utility Firm’s Digging Sparks Explosion, Linked to Cannabis Gang Utility Firm’s Digging Sparks Explosion, Linked to Cannabis Gang

The gang posed as electric company workers, closing roads and digging them up to steal electricity. This stolen electricity powered a cannabis farm run by Albanians.

Ten people were involved, pretending to work for Elev8 Civils, a company based in Wigan. Ross McGinn and Andrew Campbell led the gang, who dug at least 54 sites across the UK.

They wore high-visibility clothing and used road closure signs to appear legitimate. Although their work looked real, it was crude and sometimes dangerous.

The police shared a video showing a small explosion as the workers tried to pull equipment away, near an exposed hole.

A police chief inspector said the gang ran a risky operation, using fake utility vans to work unnoticed. According to chats, explosions resulted in injuries.

Andrew Roberts was injured and posted a picture of his face injuries. He had failed to connect something correctly, which caused an explosion and burns, highlighting the recklessness of their actions.

Andrew Churchman, an expert with 36 years of experience, analyzed their work. He said the work was very poor and, in some cases, dangerous.

The gang operated for over three years until a police probe exposed them. It began in January 2023 when police raided an abandoned shop and found a cannabis farm worth £1.2 million.

Due to unsafe wiring the building was unsafe, so officers could not complete searches. A company reported electricity theft, and CCTV captured men near an Elev8 van.

Police arrested a gang member and found a WhatsApp group named Elev8 Civils and Utilities. Chats revealed work locations, showing the gang worked across the north west and as far as Dundee and Portsmouth.

McGinn and Andrew Roberts directed Elev8, managing the company’s daily business. They worked with other crime groups, directing where work needed to be done.

Graham Roberts, a skilled jointer, connected live cables to send electricity to the cannabis farms. Michael Ashurst, Greg Black, and others were groundworkers who dug roads and exposed cables. Colin White, who formerly worked for Scottish Power stole equipment. One person connected the gang to Albanians.

Police found over 100 farms and seized cannabis worth £21 million. Albanians acted as gardeners, with many claiming they were trafficked and owed debts.

Police made arrests in February 2024, targeting ten gang members. They seized diggers and vans in Wigan, at the company’s address.

Everyone except White got sentenced for aiding cannabis production and stealing electricity. McGinn, Roberts, and White were charged with stealing. White was also charged for assisting theft.

McGinn got five years and four months, and Andrew Roberts got six years in jail. Graham Roberts got five years, three months, and Black received three years and nine months.

Charles got two years and eight months, and Doran got three years in prison. White got two years and six months, and Sherry got a suspended sentence. McGinn and Roberts got crime prevention orders.

The gang posed as electric company workers, closing roads and digging them up to steal electricity. This stolen electricity powered a cannabis farm run by Albanians.

Ten people were involved, pretending to work for Elev8 Civils, a company based in Wigan. Ross McGinn and Andrew Campbell led the gang, who dug at least 54 sites across the UK.

They wore high-visibility clothing and used road closure signs to appear legitimate. Although their work looked real, it was crude and sometimes dangerous.

The police shared a video showing a small explosion as the workers tried to pull equipment away, near an exposed hole.

A police chief inspector said the gang ran a risky operation, using fake utility vans to work unnoticed. According to chats, explosions resulted in injuries.

Andrew Roberts was injured and posted a picture of his face injuries. He had failed to connect something correctly, which caused an explosion and burns, highlighting the recklessness of their actions.

Andrew Churchman, an expert with 36 years of experience, analyzed their work. He said the work was very poor and, in some cases, dangerous.

The gang operated for over three years until a police probe exposed them. It began in January 2023 when police raided an abandoned shop and found a cannabis farm worth £1.2 million.

Due to unsafe wiring the building was unsafe, so officers could not complete searches. A company reported electricity theft, and CCTV captured men near an Elev8 van.

Police arrested a gang member and found a WhatsApp group named Elev8 Civils and Utilities. Chats revealed work locations, showing the gang worked across the north west and as far as Dundee and Portsmouth.

McGinn and Andrew Roberts directed Elev8, managing the company’s daily business. They worked with other crime groups, directing where work needed to be done.

Graham Roberts, a skilled jointer, connected live cables to send electricity to the cannabis farms. Michael Ashurst, Greg Black, and others were groundworkers who dug roads and exposed cables. Colin White, who formerly worked for Scottish Power stole equipment. One person connected the gang to Albanians.

Police found over 100 farms and seized cannabis worth £21 million. Albanians acted as gardeners, with many claiming they were trafficked and owed debts.

Police made arrests in February 2024, targeting ten gang members. They seized diggers and vans in Wigan, at the company’s address.

Everyone except White got sentenced for aiding cannabis production and stealing electricity. McGinn, Roberts, and White were charged with stealing. White was also charged for assisting theft.

McGinn got five years and four months, and Andrew Roberts got six years in jail. Graham Roberts got five years, three months, and Black received three years and nine months.

Charles got two years and eight months, and Doran got three years in prison. White got two years and six months, and Sherry got a suspended sentence. McGinn and Roberts got crime prevention orders.