Cannabis Farm Found In Raid

[Wilbur]

Hundreds of cannabis plants have been seized in one of the biggest hauls in Preston after a passer-by noticed their strong smell.

Up to 400 of the mature plants worth around £40,000 were seized by police following a morning raid at Howarth Road, Cadley.

Officers in white full-body suits removed the plants from the drugs factory kitted out with hydroponics, lighting and ventilation systems after 8am yesterday (Monday).

Insp John Ainsworth, from Lea police, said: "It was a monumental amount, I haven't seen anything that big in my career.

"It was unbelievable with the plants from wall to wall in three rooms - they took the entire floor space.

"It was pretty warm in their with the lighting and it stank, you could smell at as you walked up the driveway.

"It's a great result for the police and has cost the dealers a lot of money.

"It was completely vented to try and get the smell out and that was noticed by a member of the public."

He said there were between 300 and 400 plants taken during the drugs seizure.

Police carried out the raid the tip-off about the strong smell of cannabis coming from the property.

The plants were around 3ft tall and ready for harvesting.

They were found in the front living room and two upstairs bedrooms of the two-storey semi detached house.

Neighbours were shocked by the goings-on in their normally quiet street.

Jean Yates, the treasurer of the Howarth Road Community Association, said: "They were new people living there, they had been there for less than a month.

"It's a shame as we don't want that kind of thing in the area and the street has really improved in recent times."

A 22-year-old man who was living at the Howarth Road address has been arrested in connection with the drugs haul and has been released on police bail while investigations continue.


Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: Lancashire Evening Post
Pubdate: 14 November 2006
Copyright: 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
Contact: Lancashire Evening Post
Website: Article Here