A former Liverpool city council official has been sentenced to three years in prison for accepting over £20,000 in bribes to provide fake permits that facilitated a vast drug operation. Alan Hunter, 57, a street works manager, abused his position by issuing false Section 50 permits to a criminal network, allowing bogus workmen to dig up roads and divert electricity to cannabis farms. This scheme, linked to Albanian gangsters, was part of a criminal enterprise valued at approximately £21 million.
Hunter admitted to conspiracy to make items used in fraud, misconduct in a public office, and use of criminal property. Detectives discovered messages on his phone where he discussed purchasing a new kitchen and booking holidays with the illicit earnings. He also expressed awareness of the risks, messaging a contact, "Hopefully I've covered my tracks good enough on that otherwise I'll get sacked."
The "Great Albanian mains robbery," as the operation was dubbed, involved crews using professional-looking utility vans to disguise their illegal activities. These workmen would splice into underground electricity cables to power numerous cannabis farms. The dangerous nature of this work was highlighted by an image found on a company director's phone showing him with a singed and purple face, apparently from an electrical cable explosion.
The criminal network was exposed when police in North Wales discovered £1.2 million worth of cannabis plants in an abandoned shop in January 2023. Further investigation revealed the operation spanned at least four years and involved dozens of police force areas and approximately 100 cannabis farms. In total, eight men were previously jailed for nearly three decades for their roles in the conspiracy.
Three other individuals involved in Hunter's part of the scheme were also sentenced. Luke Whenary, 35, received three years and four months for conspiracy to abstract electricity and encouraging criminal acts. William Grant, 59, was jailed for three years and four months for similar charges including conspiracy to steal. Liam Shelbourne, 46, was sentenced to two years and three months for conspiracy to abstract electricity.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Wild stated that those involved played significant roles in supporting organized criminality, whether by directing operations or enabling them through specialized knowledge or positions of trust. Liverpool City Council confirmed Hunter's actions were a "shameful breach of public trust" and that immediate action was taken upon discovering his involvement.