Kilburn man accused of running �3.5million drugs empire from his prison cell

A Kilburn man helped his aunt and uncle launder the profits of his �3.5million a year cannabis farming business from his cell, a court heard.

Mark Nolan, 27, of Quex Road, allowed Terence Nolan, 55, and his wife Alison, 42, to transfer large quantities of cash through his accounts while he languished in jail, it is said.

Southwark Crown Court heard Mark Nolan was jailed in October 2005 for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was behind bars until February 2009.

Prosecutors claim while he was inside his uncle helped launder the proceeds of the drugs business and run two cannabis factories capable of producing a crop worth millions each year.

The two cannabis farms in Essex were raided by police in April 2009 after a lengthy surveillance operation and Mark Nolan’s home was searched in December 2009.

Terrence Nolan was discovered at the site with two other men, Steven Gizzi, 58, and Anthony King, 60.

When police raided Terrence Nolan’s house they where they discovered large quantities of cash and luxury items and a number of bank statements were seized.

Banking records showed that between 2006 and 2009 a number of cheques for ‘large, round amounts’ were deposited into Mark Nolan’s account.

In interview Mark Nolan denied any involvement in the operation and told officers he had been behind bars at the time.

Terrence Nolan from Kentish Town, denies conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis between January and September 2009.

Terrence, Alison and Mark Nolan all deny conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert or transfer criminal property between January 2004 and January 2010.

Gizzi, of Cambridge Avenue, Kilburn, and Anthony King, from Kent, have admitted conspiracy to produce cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis between January and September 2009.

The trial continues.