A GANG has been convicted of attempting to smuggle £4.5million worth of drugs into the country.

The members were caught during an undercover operation by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency as they attempted to process nearly 1.5 tonnes of cannabis at the Commercial Convoys industrial yard, in Baker Street, Orsett, on June 27 last year.

They were found handling a shipment believed to have originated in Spain, and hidden in pallets of cucumbers in the back of a lorry.

Seven had have been on trial for the past two weeks at Basildon Crown Court. Six were found guilty on Friday.

Robert Holden, 29, of Sydervelt Road, Canvey – a 7ft tall, 30st man said to be the gang’s “muscle” – and his father Gary Holden, 52, of Ibscott Close, Dagenham, were both found guilty of one count of conspiracy to supply the class B drug.

There were shouts and gasps from a packed public gallery as the jury returned six unanimous guilty verdicts.

Judge Alan Saggerson told the group: “You have all been convicted of very serious matters.

“Prison is the only option in cases like yours, and that is what you should all expect.”

Gary Burns, 36, from High Roding, north Essex, Stephen Ely, 24, from Southall, Middlesex, and Lee Mortimer, 26, of Tennyson Road, west London, were all found guilty of possession of a class B dug with intent to supply.

David Freeman, 54, of Knightsway, Brentwood, was found guilty of attempting to possess a class B drug with intent to supply.

Paul Gurr, 43, of Allen Road, Rainham, and John Chakley, 52, of Ashes Road, Ingatestone, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis at an earlier hearing.

They have all been remanded in custody, and will be sentenced on June 17.

Frederick Burnham, 52, of Bromfords Drive, Wickford, who owns Commercial Convoys, which has its main car breakers’ site in Rayleigh, will be re-tried later this year, after the jury failed to reach a verdict in his case.

Burnham was released on bail to return for a pre-trial hearing on June 18.

He has always maintained the operation was carried out at his yard without his knowledge or consent.