A prolific cannabis farmer who grew plants in rental properties using the victims ID and fake documents has been jailed.

Lee Flaherty was arrested following an operation by the Fylde Rural Task Force launched in April last year. Officers said numerous cannabis grows were located in rental properties across Fylde which had been rented fraudulently using the victims details.

They had been reporting suspected fraud to their local force outside of Lancashire. Flaherty, 42, used the victims ID and falsified documents to fraudulently rent 17 properties across Lancashire, Manchester, Newcastle, Durham, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Lancashire Constabulary said a 'significant amount' of these properties were used to cultivate cannabis. Flaherty was identified as the offender following 'extensive financial enquiries and phone data'.

Officers said he created fake IDs including birth certificates, driving licences and wage slips in the victim's name. He also created aliases to provide false references to estate agents and landlords.

In January 2025, Fylde Rural Task Force executed several warrants across Lancashire and Manchester. Flaherty was arrested and found in possession of several mobile phones which he used when pretending to be the victim and his aliases.

Also located at his home were falsified documents in the victims name. Flaherty was charged and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to produce cannabis and two counts possession of identity documents with improper intention.

Flaherty, of Regent Road, Bolton, was sentenced on Wednesday (May 28) to two years and two months in prison.

In a statement, Lancashire Constabulary said: "These offences have had a detrimental impacted on the victim, estate agents and landlords who have suffered significant financial loss and damage to their properties.

"Fylde Rural Task Force hope this reassures our community that we are committed to investigating serious organised criminality and take your reports and concerns seriously. We would like to remind criminals that cross border criminality will not be tolerated in Fylde and we will continue to target, disrupt and convict those involved."

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