Ten people have denied involvement in a lucrative illegal network alleged to have made nearly £1m importing cannabis from Holland hidden in boxes of flowers.

Each of the defendants appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday and stood to enter their not guilty pleas.

Prosecutors claimed they each played a role in a drug dealing network which saw pick-ups and drop-offs of drugs and cash in Cobham, Esher, Ewell and Tolworth.

Surbiton man Mark Kinnimont, 38, of Claremont Road, denied importing cannabis, conspiring to supply cannabis and money laundering between June 1, 2006, and November 21, 2008.

Peter Brown of King Henry’s Road, Kingston, gave a not guilty plea to charges of importing and supplying money.

James Hay, 45, of Stonny Croft, Ashtead, denied conspiracy to supply drugs.

Seven other co-defendants from north London, High Wycombe, Ilford, Southwark and Ashtead all denied various charges connected to the case.

Co-defendants Terry Bowler, 39, of St Albans Road, Kingston, Liam Salter, 38, of Reads Rest Lane, Tadworth, and David Couchman, 37, from Southwark, will appear at Southwark on March 23 to enter their pleas.

Due to the number of defendants, two back to back trials expected to last between six and eight weeks each have been listed by Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith for this October and January next year.