David Allen, 68, served 24 years in the army and four years as a Northumbria Police officer.[1] He was jailed for three years and seven months after admitting producing cannabis.[1] Allen grew the cannabis on his smallholding at Calthwaite, a village about 100 metres from the primary school and near Penrith.[2]
Cumbria Police detectives went to the smallholding on 20 July 2020 and found continuous commercial production of cannabis at the property.[3] The search found 80 plants nearing full maturity, grown with specialist equipment designed to maximise yield.[2] The plants were contained in a fully insulated room with sophisticated timed lamps, heaters and a working industrial ventilation system.[2] A drying area next to the growing room held an insulated tent, drying racks and vacuum-packing machinery.[3] Police also found an assortment of knives, air rifles and a crossbow strategically placed around the farm.[1] One detective described the operation as one of the most carefully constructed and sophisticated set-ups he had ever seen.[1] Police released body-worn camera footage of a walk-through of the farm.[4]
Prosecutor Alaric Walmsley told the court that seven crops could have been produced over a 140-week period, potentially yielding up to 42kg of cannabis with a possible wholesale value of between £50,400 and £336,000.[2] A financial probe of Allen’s personal and business accounts identified unexplained cash deposits totalling over £425,000 and regular transfers of money to an ex-partner in the Philippines.[1] Allen admitted possessing £12,000 in criminal cash found in a set of bedroom drawers.[1] Recorder Kate Bex QC said she was satisfied Allen had a leading role and had directed and organised the production of cannabis on a commercial scale.[3] Michael Davies, defending, said the real story was a national hero through his army service who had stooped to commit the offence, and that none of the legally-held weapons was loaded.[1] Allen was arrested and remanded in custody in November 2020 after telling an estate agent he was packing to retire in Asia.[3]
