Police seize cannabis worth £2m

OFFICERS from Warrington have been part of a Cheshire-wide campaign which has seized more than £2 million worth of cannabis plants.
Police in Cheshire have executed 28 warrants on cannabis growers. They seized hundreds of plants which, if brought into full cannabis production, could have generated more than £2 million.
Chief Inspector Pete Shaw said: “We want to cause as much disruption as possible to those organised crime gangs who see growing cannabis as an easy way to make money. The more farms we can take out of circulation, the more illegal drugs we take off the streets.
“Organised crime gangs often use violence and intimidation to force those most vulnerable in our society to set up cannabis farms.”
He said the operation relies on information from the public to tackle the problem of drugs which brings misery to communities. He said the more information police have the more warrants they can execute.
As well as searching homes for cannabis plants, Cheshire Constabulary is working with housing associations, estate agents, rental companies, garden centres and DIY stores to raise awareness of the checks they need to put in place and what they need to look out to ascertain if someone is setting up a cannabis farm.
Chief Inspector Shaw said: “We are asking for the cooperation of individuals and businesses to help us to put a stop to illegal cannabis production in Cheshire. There is a strong and distinctive smell to cannabis and farms often have a number of frequent and varied visitors to a property at unusual times.
“If you see any unusual activity such as a new neighbour taking large amounts of fertiliser and lots of plant pots into a property or see industrial type venting tubes, lights or fans being delivered to a property then call us.”
He asks people to look out for covered windows day and night, heat coming from a house next door or lots of different visitors to a property, which may be signs that a farm is operating.
Anyone with information should call Cheshire Police on 101 so that action can be taken or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.