Police Uncover Prestwich Cannabis Farm

Date published: 11 November 2008

Bury police have struck a blow against illegal drugs manufacture following a successful raid on a house which was being used as a cannabis factory.

Police officers, assisted by police community support officers, executed a search warrant at an address on Laburnum Grove, Prestwich at 9am on Monday, 11 November.

After gaining entry to the house, officers found 122 cannabis plants in two upstairs bedrooms along with specialist equipment used to cultivate them including powerful hydroponic lamps, plant food and electricity diverting equipment.

No one was in the property, which was rented from a private landlord, at the time of the operation and no arrests were made.

Employees from electricity company United Utilities were also on hand to disconnect the power supply to the house to ensure officers were able to safely carry out a thorough search of the premises.

During the search, PCSOs maintained a visible presence on the street to reassure local residents.

Sergeant Ian Campbell of the Prestwich and Whitefield Neighbourhood Policing Team said the operation had been a great success.

“We have had a number of successes in detecting cannabis farms in Bury over the last year and this latest operation sends out a clear message that we will act decisively to deal with the manufacture of illegal drugs,” said Sergeant Campbell.

“I would also urge people to be vigilant and if they spot unusual activity at neighbouring properties to contact us. Tell-tale signs can often include lots of different people coming and going at unusual times and all of the windows in a property being covered day and night,” he added.

Further enquiries are taking place to attempt to trace the tenants of the property. 

Anyone with information is asked to call GMP on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.