Cannabis farm found

Date published: 24/02/2009

Hundreds of cannabis plants were recovered during a raid by police in Bury.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, officers from the Bury Drug Unit and Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a warrant at a house on Manchester Road on Tuesday 24 February 2009.

While searching the house, officers discovered about 350 cannabis plants.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and remains in police custody for questioning.

Inspector Charlotte Cadden, from the Intelligence Unit at Bury, said: "What we have recovered is a significant amount of cannabis that, if it had been properly cultivated and the drugs had got out onto the streets, would have been very dangerous.

"This is not a harmless enterprise. Drug abuse is a serious problem and drugs can often be contributing factors in other serious crimes, so I am delighted we were able to carry out this successful raid.

"Suspicious were aroused by strange smells coming from the house and I would urge anyone who notices suspicious activity in their neighbourhood to call us. Today's action shows what can be achieved when everyone works together."

Anyone with information should call Bury Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Key messages for cannabis farms.

· Operation Dragonfly was set up in 2007 to crackdown on cannabis farms across the region and to disrupt the supply of cannabis.

· A commercial cannabis farm is classed as having 100 plants or more.

Residential properties are often developed into cannabis factories and there are often distinctive signs that people can look out for which include:

· People arriving and leaving properties at random times of the day and night.
· A pungent aroma in the area.
· Large amounts of electrical wiring, light fittings, chemicals or compost being delivered to residential premises.
· Blacked out windows or bright lights coming from a number of windows all night long.
· Landlords and letting agents can also play a key role in helping police identify suspects as cannabis farming is mostly carried out in rented property. The damage they can leave behind can cost tens of thousands of pounds to put right, which is not covered by insurance.
· Electricity illegally extracted by the growers to power the lights and fans can total tens of thousands of pounds and the utilities companies will seek to recover the cost from landlords.
· The wiring installed by the growers has led to large house fires, on occasions completely destroying the property.