A DRUG gang member who helped set up one of the largest cannabis factories ever discovered in mainland Britain is to appeal against his six-and-a-half-year jail sentence.

Detectives believe that the illegal factory in an East Yorkshire aircraft hangar could have produced £1 million worth of cannabis a year.

When they moved in, they seized more than a thousand plants and £25,000 worth of hydroponics equipment.

They also arrested Andrew Markham, 38, who provided some of the equipment and John Kelly, who tended the plants.

Markham, 38, of Martins Road, Ulceby, Lincolnshire was jailed for six-and-a-half years and Kelly, of Sands Lane, Breighton, for six years. Both admitted producing cannabis at Breighton airfield and Kelly admitted possessing a CS cannister.

Afterwards, Markham's solicitor, Colin Byrne, said: "We will be appealing against the sentence."

Detective Superintendent Eric Lodge, of the National Crime Squad, which headed the six-month undercover factory investigation, said: "We are extremely pleased with the result at court. Two of the defendants were involved in what was potentially a multi-million pound operation producing cannabis. This was one of the largest skunk cannabis factories ever discovered in mainland UK with the potential of providing a million pounds worth of the illegal drug a year.

"This operation reflects the National Crime Squad's commitment to tackling all types of drugs and stopping the criminal gangs profiting out of drug operation."

North Yorkshire detective inspector Debbie Holmes was among six members of the squad commended by the judge for bringing Markham and Kelly to justice and closing down the factory.

The others were Det Cons Andy York, Paul Mason, Martin Fleming, Mal Tuckett and Martin Young.

Judge Peter Heppel QC said the enterprise demonstrated that "long-term continuing production" was intended.

The court heard how undercover police watched as Kelly met two other men, Michael Walsh, 58, formerly of Breighton, and Stephen Gilpin, and discussed the operation at a Howden caf.

They tracked Markham and Kelly going in and out of the factory. Gilpin and Walsh are on the run.

On March 27 last year, Kelly was arrested at the site in a BMW with a CS gas canister in the glove compartment.

For Kelly, Sandy Munro, said he had no gardening experience and met Michael Walsh innocently.

But when Walsh discovered he had a previous conviction for dealing in cannabis, he suggested he tend the factory plants and "smoke as much as he could".

The prosecution says that Michael Walsh financed the operation.

For Markham, Chris Tehrani said he only assembled the factory's equipment on the orders of Michael Walsh and did not have expertise in the matter.

He, too, met Michael Walsh legitimately when he had debts and Walsh made him an "attractive offer" to get involved in the factory.

John Walsh, 36, of Breighton Road, Bubwith, son of Michael Walsh, admitted possessing £75 worth of cannabis and £20 worth of cocaine at his home and some counterfeit £20 notes and was fined £500 with £250 costs.

The prosecution accepted his not guilty plea over alleged involvement in the production of cannabis.

Updated: 11:14 Thursday, September 27, 2001