TIPTON: Tipton police have uncovered a cannabis factory containing £336,000 worth of drugs.
Officers raided the property at around 1.20pm here the other day as part of an intelligence-led policing operation.
Inside the New Street terraced house officers found that every room − including the loft space − was being used to grow the tropical plants.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said a 26-year-old man, who was in the three bedroom house at the time of the raid, was arrested on suspicion of drug production.
He remains in police custody this afternoon (Sunday) as inquiries continue.
He added that forensic scene investigators had visited the property and removed a number of items.
Sergeant Dave Rogers with the cannabisSergeant Dave Rogers with the cannabis
Sergeant Dave Rogers, responsible for policing in Tipton, said: “This is another victory for local people sick and tired of criminals giving their otherwise nice area a bad name.
“They’re not prepared to put up with this kind of activity and nor are we.
“People may be under the false impression that this is a harmless crime. But let me be very clear, it’s not.
“Organised criminals lie behind these factories and they very often exploit those left to tend to their precious crops. There is evidence to suggest that many of these people are illegally trafficked into the UK.
“The set-ups pose a very real risk to neighbouring properties of a fire sparked by tampered electricity supplies and fuelled by chemical fertilisers.”
The seized plants have now been removed for destruction at a secure location.
News of the latest anti-drugs push comes just weeks after the launch of Spring Safer Six − a Sandwell-wide crackdown on drugs and criminals.
Anyone who suspects drug crime in their neighbourhood should call police on 101. People who do not want to speak with police officers can leave information anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
