Four men jailed following Operation Spark investigation

Today (Tuesday 10 November) four men have been jailed following further enquiries linked to Operation Spark, an investigation which saw eight men jailed in March 2025 for more than 28 years for setting up cannabis farms across the UK using a company called Elev8 as a cover for their criminal activity.

During the investigation, officers identified further individuals involved in supporting the conspiracy.

On 8 February 2024, officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) executed a warrant at the home address of Luke Whenary. Following an examination of his mobile phone, detectives uncovered evidence linking other individuals to the conspiracy, including Liam Shelbourne and William Grant.

Between July 2020 and November 2020, conversations between Whenary and Grant showed them arranging work, discussing payments, and planning how to make their work look legitimate.

Whenary acted as a facilitator between a Western Balkan organised crime group setting up cannabis farms and those carrying out the illegal electricity abstractions.

Grant used his groundwork company to provide a legitimate front for the excavation work required to illegally connect properties to electricity supplies.

Evidence also showed that Shelbourne worked as a Cable Jointer, initially employed by Grant before later working directly for Whenary to carry out the electrical work.

On one occasion, Whenary appeared to cancel an electrical job after a neighbour became suspicious, stating that he was ” not risking being arrested”.

Further enquiries also revealed that Grant and Colin White arranged for equipment to be obtained from White's employer, Scottish Power, in exchange for money.

Luke Whenary, 35, of Inglby Grove, Stockton on Tees, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to abstract electricity and encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed.

William Grant, 59, of Dwerryhouse Lane, Liverpool, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to abstract electricity, encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed, and conspiracy to steal.

Liam Shelbourne, 46, of Cathedral Road, Liverpool, was jailed for two years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to abstract electricity.

A former Liverpool City Council employee has also been jailed as part of a linked investigation.

Alan Hunter, 57, of Holly Road, Haydock, was jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty for conspiracy to make items used in fraud, misconduct in a public office and use of criminal property.

Officers identified Hunter after examining the phone of Colin White, who was jailed as part of Operation Spark in March 2025.

The investigation revealed that Hunter supplied false Section 50 permits, which are normally issued by local authorities to authorise works on the public highway. These permits helped members of the organised crime group make roadworks connected to illegal electricity abstraction appear legitimate.

Messages recovered show Hunter sending section 50 permits to White via WhatsApp, in exchange for payment. In one conversation he stated:

“Hopefully I’ve covered my tracks good enough on that otherwise I’ll get sacked.”

Hunter also talks about buying a new kitchen and booking another holiday on the back of more ‘jobs’.

Liverpool City Council later confirmed the permits were fraudulent and that Hunter was not authorised to issue them.

Hunter was arrested at his home address on 29 April 2024. A review of his phone and financial records showed that between September 2021 and July 2023 he received more than £20,000 in payments linked to the fraudulent permits.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU said:

“These individuals played a significant role in supporting organised criminality.

“Some were directly involved in arranging and carrying out the work, while others used positions of trust or specialist knowledge to assist the organised crime group for financial gain. Whether you're directing the criminality or enabling it, we will identify you and bring you before the courts.

“We would like to thank Liverpool City Council for supporting us specifically with Hunter’s result”

Liverpool City Council Chief Executive, Andrew Lewis, said:

"Hunter’s criminal activities were a shameful breach of public trust, and he will now rightly face the consequences of his actions. We expect absolute integrity from our staff and have zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, or abuse of a public position.

“Immediate action was taken when we were made aware of Hunter’s involvement in illegal activity. Liverpool City Council worked closely with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit throughout their investigation, and thank them for a successful outcome to this case.”