A former Liverpool City Council worker has been jailed for three years after selling fraudulent permits to an organised drug gang, earning thousands of pounds that he spent on a kitchen and holidays.
Alan Hunter, 57, of Holly Road in Haydock, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make items used in fraud, misconduct in a public office and use of criminal property. He supplied false permits, which councils normally issue to authorise public highway works, to help gang members make roadworks connected to their illegal conspiracy look legitimate.
Investigation into cannabis farms
Hunter was identified after officers examined the phone of Colin White, who was jailed in March 2025 as part of Operation Spark, an investigation into a gang that set up cannabis farms across the UK using a company called Elev8 as a cover. White was one of eight men jailed in 2025 for more than 28 years for their roles in the criminal plot.
During the investigation, police identified others involved in supporting the conspiracy. On February 8, 2024, officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) executed a warrant at the home of Luke Whenary. Examination of his mobile phone uncovered evidence linking other individuals, including Liam Shelbourne and William Grant, to the conspiracy.
Key roles in the conspiracy
Between July 2020 and November 2020, conversations between Whenary and Grant showed them arranging work, discussing payments, and planning how to make their work look legitimate. Whenary acted as a facilitator between a Western Balkan organised crime group setting up cannabis farms and those carrying out illegal electricity abstractions.
Grant used his groundwork company to provide a legitimate front for the excavation work required to illegally connect properties to electricity supplies. Shelbourne worked as a cable jointer, initially employed by Grant before later working directly for Whenary to carry out the electrical work.
Whenary, 35, of Inglby Grove, Stockton-on-Tees, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to abstract electricity and encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed. Grant, 59, of Dwerryhouse Lane, Liverpool, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to abstract electricity, encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed, and conspiracy to steal. Shelbourne, 46, of Cathedral Road, Liverpool, was jailed for two years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to abstract electricity.
Permits and payments
Hunter was found to have issued 50 permits to gang member White via WhatsApp in exchange for payment. In one conversation he stated: "Hopefully I’ve covered my tracks good enough on that otherwise I’ll get sacked." Hunter also talked about buying a new kitchen and booking another holiday on the back of more "jobs".
Liverpool City Council later confirmed the permits were fraudulent and that Hunter was not authorised to issue them. Hunter was arrested at his home address on April 29, 2024. A review of his phone and financial records showed that between September 2021 and July 2023 he received more than £20,000 in payments linked to the fraudulent permits.
Liverpool City Council chief executive Andrew Lewis said: "Hunter’s criminal activities were a shameful breach of public trust, and he will now rightly face the consequences of his actions. We expect absolute integrity from our staff and have zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, or abuse of a public position.
"Immediate action was taken when we were made aware of Hunter’s involvement in illegal activity. Liverpool City Council worked closely with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit throughout their investigation, and thank them for a successful outcome to this case."
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU said: "These individuals played a significant role in supporting organised criminality.
"Some were directly involved in arranging and carrying out the work, while others used positions of trust or specialist knowledge to assist the organised crime group for financial gain. Whether you're directing the criminality or enabling it, we will identify you and bring you before the courts. We would like to thank Liverpool City Council for supporting us specifically with Hunter’s result."
