Stately home at the centre of drugs conspiracy

Flass House Credit: ITV Border

A Cumbrian stately home is at the centre of an alleged multi-million-pound drugs conspiracy.

Flass, a Grade II-listed mansion, is located in the picturesque village of Maulds Meaburn, near Penrith.

But the impressive building is said to have been at the centre of a 13-month drugs plot.

Three men accused of being involved in the plot went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court today (7 July).

The defendants:

  • Dean Vincent Cameron, 53, from London

  • Philip Branigan, 32, from London

  • Charles Neophytou, 47, from Banstead, Surrey

Each deny a charge of conspiring together to supply cannabis bush to another.

The alleged offence is said to have been committed between 1 May, 2011, and 31 May, 2012.

Opening the case to the jury, Tim Evans, prosecuting, alleged that the conspiracy involved "cannabis growing on a massive scale".

The jury heard that five other men have admitted conspiring to supply cannabis bush during the same period.

All have addresses outside of Cumbria.