A GANG has been jailed for smuggling £9.5million worth of cannabis into the country.

A dozen men were jailed for a total of 64 years and eight months for a conspiracy to import two huge shipments of the drug, hidden in boxes of cucumbers in the back of lorries from Spain.

They were all arrested during an undercover operation by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency last summer.

The first wave of arrests were made as they attempted to process nearly two tonnes of cannabis, with a street value of £4.5milion, at the Convoys Commercials industrial yard, in Baker Street, Orsett, on June 27 last year.

Then, just a fortnight later on July 12, undercover officers watched other members of the gang unload another two tonnes, worth an estimated £5million, from a lorry in Hounslow, West London.

Judge Alan Saggerson, sitting at Basildon Crown Court, said it had been a “sophisticated operation” which would have netted “significant financial rewards”.

He said it was clear there were other parties overseas who were likely to have played key roles.

He told the defendants: “All of you played your parts in this attempt to import a huge amount of cannabis into the country.

“That means you will all receive a significant prison sentence.”

The defendants were Paul Gurr, 44, of Allen Road, Rainham, who admitted being ringleader. He received seven-and-a-half-years in jail.

Stephen Adamson, 55, of Buckles Lane, South Ockendon, pleaded guilty and received six years and six months in jail.

John Chalkley, 53, of Nine Ashes Road, Ingatestone, admitted a charge of conspiracy to supply cannabis and received six years and three months in prison.

Gill Scott, 49, of Alexandra Square, South Ockendon, pleaded guilty and was jailed for two years and nine months.

His brother Ian Scott, 64, of Buckles Lane, South Ockendon, admitted the offence and was jailed for four years and six months. John Fearnley, 40, of Rochdale, Lancashire, was found guilty after a trial. He was jailed for six years.

Following a trial in May, the other six men were found guilty.

They were Robert Holden, 29, of Sydervelt Road, Canvey, who was jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Holden’s father Gary, 52, of Ibscott Close, Dagenham, was handed a seven-year prison sentence. Gary Burns, 36, of High Roding, Dunmow, was jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Stephen Ely, 25, of Southall, in Middlesex, was given five years.

Lee Mortimer, 26, of Hanwell, West London, was jailed for four years and nine months.

David Freeman, 55, of Knight’s Way, Brentwood, was jailed for four years for his involvement.