A CANNABIS factory has been discovered in a quiet residential street in Warrington.
Police raided a house in Ashley Close, Grappenhall, following similar raids in Northwich and discovered a large scale cannabis cultivation operation.
The house, which is still being thoroughly searched, has been completely transformed for the sole purpose of growing drugs and is kitted out with a large amount of hydroponic equipment.
Detective Sergeant Simon Parker, who has co-ordinated much of the police activity in Ashley Close, said: “The discovery of this cannabis factory will deal a crushing blow to the supply of drugs in the Warrington area.
“We have worked extremely hard to build intelligence and gather as much information as possible prior to carrying out these warrants and it is pleasing to see such a good result at the end of the lengthy process.
“It will take some time to go through all of the items discovered at the address, but we are certainly looking at a significant number of cannabis plants intended for use in the illegal drugs trade.”
The house at Ashley Close was raided following a similar operation in Northwich earlier today in which a further cannabis factory was discovered at a house on Parliament Street.
As a result of both warrants a 47-year-old man from Warrington was arrested on suspicion of cultivation and production of cannabis and remains in police custody.
The warrants were executed as part of Operation Strikeout, Cheshire Police’s latest initiative to tackle a variety of crimes which have an impact on people’s quality of life.
Superintendent Jon Betts, who is overseeing part of Operation Strikeout, said: “Today’s warrants are a perfect example of the benefit of good quality intelligence.
“I am extremely grateful to all those who have contacted us in relation to these addresses and who have supplied us with the information which has proved crucial in dealing a hammer blow to the supply of illegal drugs in the area.
“I hope these warrants show we are committed to tackling drugs and all associated crime and that we will continue to take forceful action, when possible, to put bring offenders into custody.”
Community intelligence has been crucial in the execution of warrants during this phase of Operation Strikeout and police in Cheshire are appealing for anyone with further information about drugs use or supply to contact them on 0845 458 0000.
Alternatively informants can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
