Four men have been sentenced for breaking into a property in Folkestone that was being used to grow cannabis, following swift action by Kent Police. The incident, part of ongoing efforts to tackle organized crime, occurred on Pavilion Road late on the night of April 12, 2023.
Police responded to reports of a disturbance at the three-storey house and discovered four men in the hallway, one armed with a machete. All four were detained and arrested at the scene. Further investigation uncovered approximately 150 cannabis plants, harvested cannabis, weapons, and illegal electricity arrangements. A fifth man, believed to have been overseeing the cultivation for an organized group, was found hiding in the loft and also arrested.
The four men, who had travelled from London intending to steal the cannabis, were charged with aggravated burglary and later admitted to burglary. Their sentences, handed down at Canterbury Crown Court on November 13, 2024, are as follows:
- Michael Greatorex, 44, of Arlington Road, Camden: 22 months in prison.
- Adem Kavosoglu, 45, of Barretts Grove, Dalston: 18 months in prison.
- Robert McKinley, 38, of George Street, Paisley: Time served and a two-year community order.
- Cuma Delioglu, 36, of Northumberland Park, Tottenham: Two-year community order.
A fifth individual, a 22-year-old man, previously received a suspended sentence for producing a Class B drug.
PC Damien Dixon, the investigating officer, commended the officers involved, saying: “It is clear that the organizers of this offence knew the property contained a large amount of illegal drugs and travelled to Kent to commit crime. I would like to praise the bravery of local officers, who quickly arrived on the scene, disarmed a suspect with a machete, and arrested five people.
Kent Police reiterated its commitment to disrupting organized crime, with PC Dixon adding, “We will not tolerate organized criminals using the county to produce, store, or deal drugs and will continue to bring them before the courts to protect our communities.
