27/06/2007 00:00:00
UK: Plants seized in cannabis factory raid
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A MASSIVE cannabis factory in a suburban Warwickshire home was uncovered
by police in an early morning drugs raid.
It is thought the house - in a quiet residential area - had been used to
cultivate about 250 cannabis plants for more than six years.
Following a tip-off from a member of the public, nine officers raided
the address in the Queensway area of Leamington at 7am yesterday.
When they were let in to the house, they discovered the mature cannabis
plants growing in the loft.
The street value of the plants is put at more than £50,000.
The loft was lined with reflective foil for insulation and high-powered
lights acted as heaters.
Following the raid, police officers spent more than three hours removing
the plants, along with growing equipment and other drugs paraphernalia.
Leamington south Safer Neighbourhood Team leader, Sergeant Andy Scruton,
who led the drugs bust, said it was one the largest cannabis factories
discovered in the town in recent years.
He said: "There was a substantial amount of cannabis and very expensive
lighting equipment, all set up in a very professional way in the loft of
the property.
"It was insulated so it could not be discovered from a heat source
coming out from the roof and was all ventilated.
"It was a big operation that had been there about six or seven years -
the biggest cannabis factory I have seen."
Sgt Scruton praised the officers involved and warned there may be
further raids in the Leamington.
He said: "This was a great team effort which was quickly and very well
executed, which has led to a good result."
A 53-year-old man from Leamington has been arrested on suspicion of
possessing cannabis with intent to supply. He was released on police
bail pending further inquiries.
http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12642
Author:
Coventry Telegraph via UKCIA
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