Police in Cumbria seized nearly 700 cannabis plants with a street value of about £550,000 in their latest operation targeting serious and organised crime.
The plants were confiscated as warrants were executed over three days of action in recent weeks to crack down on commercial industrial-level cultivation.
The activity formed part of a nationally coordinated operation targeting cannabis grows – Operation Mille – and falls under the umbrella of Cumbria Constabulary’s overarching response to serious and organised crime – Operation Alliance.
This national operation has seen forces and regional crime units carry out search warrants aimed at stopping the work of organised crime groups.
Seizures were made at towns and places including Workington and Seascale.
Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey said: “Some people may think cannabis-related crime is not serious.
“But some of the grows uncovered by our officers in Cumbria during their duties and investigations throughout the year are on an industrial level.
“This type of drugs enterprise in general can also involve exploitation and violence, with crime gangs using this to protect their cannabis grows.
“People should be under no illusion that serious and organised crime groups operate in Cumbria.
“It is these groups who are behind the industrial levels of cannabis growth grown in the sort of premises we target all-year-round.
“We have officers and PCSOs out-and-about engaging with the community every day as part of our neighbourhood policing pledge. Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of our service.
“But we also need you, the public, to tell us what is happening in your neighbourhoods so we can tackle the criminality affecting your communities.”
Tell-tale signs that could indicate a cannabis farm is in your neighbourhood include:
- Strong, sickly smells coming from properties
- Properties where the windows are constantly covered
- Excessive security around properties, such as CCTV
- High levels of unusual condensation on windows
- Lots of visitors – and at unsociable hours
- Bright lights day and night
- Constant buzz of ventilation
Det Supt Hussey added: “Criminals are using more inventive ways to conceal cannabis grows – not just in rooms, but in the back of shops and in industrial settings where people go to work every day.
“These are illegal operations and, as such, are not subject to the usual rules that legitimate businesses follow to protect property and people.
“Cannabis farms are very dangerous places and pose a serious risk of fire.
“Often the electricity meter has been bypassed - and seriously overloaded electrical circuits run close to water-filled pipes.
“Plants grown upstairs in a building can also cause floorboards to rot, presenting the danger of collapse.
Do you have information that can help us?
Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.