Four Men Jailed After Dramatic Folkestone Cannabis Cult Break-In
Kent Police have cracked down hard on a group of burglars caught red-handed raiding a cannabis farm in Folkestone. The crooks stormed a property on Pavilion Road on the night of April 12, 2023, but things went south fast when officers arrived.
Machete-Wielding Gang Caught in the Act
Police were called out to reports of a disturbance at the three-storey house. Inside, they found four men lurking in the hallway – one brandishing a fearsome machete. All four were swiftly arrested on the spot.
Police searches uncovered around 150 cannabis plants, harvested stash, weapons, and dodgy electricity hookups rigged to power the illegal grow operation. A fifth man, hiding in the loft, was also arrested. He is believed to have been managing the cultivation for an organised gang.
Sentences Handed Down at Canterbury Crown Court
The four men, who had travelled all the way from London in a bid to nick the cannabis, faced charges of aggravated burglary. They pleaded guilty to burglary and were sentenced on November 13, 2024:
- Michael Greatorex, 44, Camden: 22 months in prison.
- Adem Kavosoglu, 45, Dalston: 18 months in prison.
- Robert McKinley, 38, Paisley: Time served plus a two-year community order.
- Cuma Delioglu, 36, Tottenham: Two-year community order.
A 22-year-old man linked to the operation had earlier received a suspended sentence for producing a Class B drug.
PC Praises Officers’ Bravery, Vows to Tackle Organised Crime
“The organisers knew the property held a large stash of illegal drugs and travelled to Kent to carry out this crime,” said PC Damien Dixon, the lead investigator. “I praise the bravery of our officers who quickly disarmed a suspect armed with a machete and arrested all five individuals.”
“Kent Police will not tolerate organised criminals using our county as a base for producing, storing, or dealing drugs. We will continue to bring offenders before the courts to keep our communities safe.”
