A mother and son from Warrington ran a “cottage industry” making and selling cannabis edibles from their home all over the UK, a court heard.
George Flaherty organised the business, “Scrannabis”, illicitly operating out of their home, and his mum Lisa Halford baked the goodies ready for dispatch.
However, their commercial operation crumbled after police raided the house armed with a search warrant and found cannabis and evidence of production of cannabis oil-laced brownies and sweets.
Flaherty, now 23, personally delivered local orders and used courier services to deliver others all over the country after his mother used her culinary skills to make them, a court heard today. (Wed)
Sentencing Flaherty and Halford, a 54-year-old mother-of-five, a judge said that Flaherty had sold them over the internet, “so you had no idea who you were selling to, whether under-age children or those with underlying health issues.
“You had no idea who had access to these drugs and how they were stored or safeguarded,” said Judge Charlotte Crangle.
“By their very nature designed to look like cakes and sweets and so easily ingested by small children and so potentially causing untold damage.”
She said it had been a successful business operating for almost two years and it had been advertised on the internet and various social media platforms.
Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that police raided their home in Grasmere Avenue, Poplars and Hulme, Warrington, on December 20, 2022 after reports that a cannabis edibles business – Scrannabis – was being run from the address.
“A variety of cannabis oil infused items were being advertised and sold on the internet either delivered by Flaherty or posted using next delivery service and his home address for returns.”
These involved brownies, ‘Minions’ and ’Nerds’ sweets and vape oils, said Mr Blasbery.
Only Halford was present during the raid and when the kitchen was searched various items were found including a jar of cannabis, containers of sweets, vape liquid and ‘Nerds’ and ‘Minions’ in tubs and brownies in foil.
A total of 61 grams of cannabis dust containing THC was discovered and liquid THC and 71 grams of cannabis in a jar in the early stages of cannabis extraction.
Mr Blasbery explained that the contents of the jar would be strained and heated until only oil was left and kept in syringes worth about £500.
Police officers went to Flaherty’s place of work and arrested him. He told them, “I was slowing down to concentrate on my career. His phone and laptop were seized and there were messages with his mother referring to baking edibles and someone else buying cannabis to make it.
Five extreme porn videos were also found on his phone involving both bestiality and acts which could cause serious harm.
Examination of his laptop revealed a Monza bank account, showing £12,000 going in in just one month, an Ebay account – ‘Georgie’s Sweets’ – to sell items, and orders for pre-printed packaging.
He had also been using Snapchat to advertise their products and £15 – £20 was often the cost for items.
When interviewed Flaherty, “stated he had been making small quantities of cannabis edibles which started off as a one off, a fun thing. He said he intended ending it after Christmas.”
He said he had begun by making rice crispy cakes but people continued to ask for other products – cakes and sweets. He said he sold small pieces of brownie for £10 and delivered locally by car and used the Evri and Hermes services to deliver further afield.
Flaherty, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis between January 2021 and December 2022, being concerned in supplying cannabis and possessing criminal property – £7.500 cash. He also admitted three offences of possessing extreme pornography.
Halford, who has four previous convictions for 15 offences including possession of drugs, pleaded guilty to the two drugs counts.
Jeremy Rawson, defending, said that Flaherty had only been 19 at the time of the offences and had been immature.
He bought cannabis and extracted the oil which was baked into products for onward sale.
“He organised the sale and delivery and return of items. It was essentially a cottage industry. It was set up by someone else and then run by him with the assistance of his mother.”
Mr Rawson said that the offences were three years ago and he is remorseful. He is in employment and references speak highly of him.
Jim Smith, defending Halford, said she had been left homeless when just 14 because of her abusive home environment. Psychological issues had played a part in her offending and various conditions created “a perfect storm” to her agreeing to get involved and use her baking skills.
Halford, who is on medication for anxiety and depression, is a hard worker who had had stressful jobs and is now working in a charity shop. “She regrets deeply her actions in supporting her son. It has impacted on her.”
Judge Crangle sentenced Flaherty to two years imprisonment suspended for 18 months and ordered him to carry out 300 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days.
His mother was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and ten days rehabilitation activities.
