THREE drugs gang members who helped set up a cannabis farm have pleaded guilty to growing the illegal plants.

The men were arrested in April following raids on various properties as part of Operation Hornbeam, an on-going investigation into suspected importing, production, and supply of hard and soft drugs across East Lancashire.

Police swooped on a property in Eden Street, Blackburn, where they discovered a commercial skunk cannabis operation.' Seven men were arrested as a result of the raid.

Brian John Fitzharris, 36, of Craven Street, Accrington, appeared before Burnley Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to 10 offences of supplying amphetamine and cocaine, conspiracy to cultivate cannabis and conspiracy to delivery counterfeit currency.

Appearing at the same time, Michael Hartley, 59, of Snowden Avenue, Blackburn, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cultivate cannabis and conspiracy to delivery counterfeit currency.

And Shaun David Shorrock, 39, of Queens Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cultivate cannabis.

Two other men arrested during the raid have already entered guilty pleas for their involvement in the drug factory.

Kevin Barski, 36, of George Street, Accrington, admitted offences of supplying amphetamine, cannabis and cocaine, along with the cultivation of cannabis.

Keith Burrows, 62, of Alexandra Close, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cultivate cannabis.

All five will appear before Preston Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, January 26, 2007.

Det Insp Dermott Horrigan, of Lancashire Constab-ulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "These pleas are the culmination of a successful investigation that targeted those who sought to ply their insidious trade of supplying drugs to vulnerable members of our community.

"These convictions will hopefully be a message to others that such activity will not be tolerated and that every effort will be made by the police to root it out."