02/01/2008 00:00:00
UK: Cannabis farms on increase say North Wales police
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POLICE discovered 17 cannabis farms in North Wales and arrested 519
people for cannabis-related offences in 2007, the Daily Post can reveal
today.
Officers raided farms across the region, taking away hauls of between 40
plants and 1,100.
The quantity discovered is a clear sign that the cultivation and use of
cannabis is increasing, warn North Wales Police.
Police conducted more than 100 drug operations in each of its western,
central and eastern divisions across North Wales in the past 12 months.
The spokesman said there were 117 drugs operations in eastern division
in 2007, 110 in western division and 108 in central division over the
same period.
These raids led to 60 arrests for cannabis cultivation and 383 for
cannabis possession.
The total number of arrests for offences including the cultivation,
possession and supply of cannabis is 519.
Inspector Tony Wan said: “Offences involving the possession of cannabis
are increasing. Cannabis cultivation also appears to be on the increase
which reflects a national trend.”
Police say drugs factory operators are adopting new tactics
A spokesman added: “One emerging feature of organised criminality is to
rent or lease property such as houses, flats, shops and commercial
buildings, to convert these premises into working drugs factories, in
particular for the cultivation of cannabis.
“In the majority of cases, the landlords are unaware of the use the
building is being put to.”
The crooks often divert power supplies to pay for heating the plants.
The spokesman said: “After occupation of the property, there is usually
a by-pass of the electricity and/or gas system, leading to very
dangerous situations with little regard for the safety of others.”
There are also problems to the structure of factories.
The spokesman added: “There is always considerable damage to the
property with the installation of industrial ventilation, heating and
lighting. Such factories have been found in North Wales.”
Inspector Wan added: “We are committed to targeting drug dealers to
reduce the availability and supply.”
The use of hard drugs is rising, he warned.
He said: “If the term hard drugs means ‘class A’ we can say there has
been an increase in arrests for possession of cocaine powder. This is
likely to be down to increased availability.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13100
Author:
Daily Post via UKCIA
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