Police smash £500k cannabis factories in two separate raids

Almost 500 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £457,000 were seized by police in two separate warrants. The latest raids brought the total number of cannabis plants seized by South Worcestershire Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT) this year to 3,367 with an estimated street value of more than £2.5m.

West Mercia Police said a warrant was carried out where more 313 plants, worth an estimated £313,320, were recovered from an address on Rye Place in Warndon this morning, Monday, November 4. A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of a class B drug – cannabis. He remained in police custody as inquiries continued.

On Friday, November 1, officers from the South Worcestershire NCFT executed a warrant at a property in Plough Lane, Tibberton, where they recovered 172 plants with an estimated street value of £144,480. Officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of production of a class B drug – cannabis and abstracting electricity. He was questioned and released under investigation as inquiries continued.

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So far this year, 12 offenders have been prosecuted resulting in sentences totalling 107 months or eight years and 11 months.

Det Chief Insp James Bamber, of South Worcestershire Police, said: "In the past few days, we’ve taken almost half a million pounds worth of cannabis plants off the streets in two raids as we continue our ongoing efforts to tackle illegal drug cultivation in the south of the county.

“Cannabis grows such as these ones are linked to organised crime gangs whose actions often uncover further criminality including modern day slavery. We would like to thank members of the community who have raised concerns about suspected cultivation sites so far this year as NCFT have now removed more than £2.5million plants from illegal productions in our communities.

“This shows we will always listen to your concerns and act where necessary. Anyone who believes there may be an illegal grow or criminal activity in their community is urged to report it to us via our website Report a crime | West Mercia Police. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100 per cent anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.

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