A key figure in a major operation to grow “incredibly potent skunk” in drugs farms dotted around the UK has been ordered to hand over his profits from the lucrative plot.

Investigators believe Peter Snape, locked up for five years and five months for his role in the enterprise, holds just over £60,000 in cash and assets.

The Fazakerley criminal has now been ordered to pay £60,412.37 to the authorities – or face a longer sentence.

Snape was identified as a leading player in a gang that oversaw drug production at farmhouses in Wales and Staffordshire and at a property on Formosa Way, Fazakerley.

The largest site linked to the operation – Tower House Farm in South Staffordshire – produced 44kg of what was described as “incredibly potent skunk” across nine modified rooms.

At a bungalow in mid-Wales the group stole £33,000 worth of electricity to help grow cannabis in four rooms.

Snape and an associate helped lead the plot, which saw cannabis worth £1.2mi grown over six months, through a series of clandestine meetings in gyms and cafes in Liverpool.

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They were said to have been working under gang ringleader Mr X – later revealed to be Gary Rimmer , of Upton Rocks Avenue in Widnes.

Last May, then aged 49, Rimmer was jailed for nine years for conspiracy to produce cannabis.

When police raided the homes of gang members after they found evidence of “a lifestyle bought with drug money”.

Expensive cars, watches and designer clothing were found along with £30,000 in cash.

The latest development in the case comes after a confiscation order was sought by the North West Regional Crime Unit’s Asset Recovery Team.

Snape, of Montrovia Crescent , now has three months to pay the money or will face an 18 months extension to his sentence, handed to him after he admitted conspiracy to produce a controlled substance.

Detective Sergeant Donna Pearson  said: “Snape may have benefited from his role in the drug conspiracy, but he now has to repay all of that.

“This is the latest of nine other Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation orders that have already been made in relation to this operation, which have to date identified a total combined benefit of £480,322.88 and combined available amount of £77,391.98.

“Even if a criminal has squandered their ill-gotten gains and currently has insufficient assets to pay back to society their full benefit from crime, we are committed to ensuring that any such individual who acquires assets at any time in future will be subject of a confiscation revisit.

“Any new assets will be considered as items that can be realised in order to pay off what amounts to an outstanding debt to society and the matter taken back before the crown court.

“As always we will leave no stone unturned until this group repay the full £480,322.88 that they made from their criminal enterprise.”