A Bexley man was sentenced today for his involvement in a south London criminal network which produced and supplied drugs.

On Friday, June 14, Sean Ryan, 45 and of Kingswood Avenue, Belvedere, was charged with production of cannabis and abstraction of electricity and was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Ryan was sentenced, along with two others, following an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command.

Between September 2017 and April 2018 search warrants were executed at a number of addresses associated with the defendants across south London.

During the searches officers located three large cannabis factories and seized a large quantity of Class A drugs.

Ryan was arrested on April 11, 2018, when a warrant was executed at his address.

A cannabis factory was located in an outbuilding in the garden.

It is estimated the factories run by the entire criminal network were capable of producing an annual yield of cannabis with a street value of more than £200,000.

Throughout the course of the investigation an additional £11,000 worth of Class A drugs and more than £10,000 cash was seized.

Speaking on the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Damian Hill, of the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "This criminal gang benefitted considerably from their criminality and like many others in their position, assumed impunity.

"I am pleased with the results from court today, and I hope this case sends a clear message to others assuming they are beyond the law that we will identify and arrest those intent on producing and supplying drugs on the streets of London.

"Drug dealing and the associated criminality brings misery to the lives of many across London. We are committed to pursuing networks such as this, dismantling them and bringing those in charge to justice."