“The whole business was set up on a professional level"
Amrit Pal, aged 34, of Leicester, was jailed for eight years for running an illegal cannabis-based products business, using the money he earned to live a life of luxury.
His operation had been producing cannabis-based products across the UK for 12 years.
Pal’s products, made in two factory units he rented out in Leicester, contained THC – the main active ingredient in the Class B drug.
Investigations were launched in 2020 when officers in Northamptonshire intercepted a postal package containing packages of cannabis and THC-based products.
Leicestershire Police officers later recovered promotional videos of the drug-making by Pal and his company.
The cannabis was then being used to manufacture various products on a long-term commercial scale.
It emerged that operations dated back as far as 2011.
Pal’s THC products – which were sold as Purple THC or HighgradeSingh – were marketed as having CBD health benefits.
Some of Pal’s products were even backed by social media influencers.
However, the items were actually harmful to those using them, with people’s lives potentially at risk.
Searches at premises linked to Pal found huge supplies of drugs, which officers estimated had a street value of more than £172,000.
Pal was charged with the production and supply of Class B drugs between July 2011 and February 2023.
Pal made over £800,000 from his illegal business and use the money to live a lavish lifestyle, which included stays in high-end hotels, expensive holidays abroad and the purchasing of designer jewellery and clothes.
After pleading guilty to the charges, Pal was jailed for eight years.
An associate named Manjeet Behal was also uncovered.
A warrant executed at Behal’s home in Leicester’s Uppingham Road found numerous cannabis plants and cultivating equipment.
He was subsequently charged with producing a controlled Class B drug, being concerned in the supply of a controlled Class B drug and acquiring/possessing criminal property between June 2020 and January 2022.
Behal was jailed for 18 months.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Owen Bird said:
“To say this has been a lengthy and complex case is putting it lightly.
“The visual evidence we recovered following searches at properties associated with Pal was vast and it took a considerable amount of time for us to piece together his offending and how far back it went.
“The whole business was set up on a professional level and the promotional material we recovered showed the lengths Pal went to promote and sell his products, even enlisting the support of social media influencers.
“The case itself generated more than 450 evidential documents, including witness statements, financial paperwork and forensic reports, as well as more than 5000 images and over 600 videos.
“During the investigations, he continued to offend despite being released under investigation.
“He had no regard for his actions and the health risks his products posed to customers.”
“Often, promoting the products of having medicinal benefits, such as curing hair loss and skin conditions.
“This case is believed to be one of the longest time periods of offending to be prosecuted in the UK for these types of offences.
“We are pleased Pal and Behal pleaded guilty to their part in this business-like operation.
“The evidence against Pal was overwhelming and he had no choice but to admit his guilt.
“While this is a great result and a testament to all the hard work that has gone into securing this outcome, we are no way complacent.
“We know where there is one gap others are waiting to fill it.
“Our commitment to tackling the misuse of drugs continues and we will bring perpetrators of such offences to justice.”
Loading ...