Fury As Cannabis Growers 'go Free'

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Residents of a Hull estate say they are furious after two men caught running a cannabis factory were allowed to walk free.

Police officers arrested the men after raiding an address in Waveney Road on the Longhill Estate, east Hull, on October 3 this year.

The house in which they lived contained 13 adult plants and about 20 minor plants, along with equipment used to cultivate the drug, all in two specially adapted rooms in the top of the house.

Two small plants were even found growing in the back garden of the property.

Officers from the East and Park Neighbourhood Policing Team said information about the address had come from the community as a result of the trust that had built up between the police and the public.

But that trust has been now been damaged after community members said they believe the men got off too lightly after their crime.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "They should have got jail.

"When I was a kid drugs were a big thing, now they get nothing, they're laughing.

"It's about time the police came down hard on them. They should have gone to court.

"They're getting away with murder. I have children. I don't want to give them pocket money and then have them go round there to buy drugs."

Another resident, who also refused to be named, said: "The neighbours tip police off and for what? We thought it would take the problem away, but they are back on the streets. And they say crime doesn't pay. People on the estate are fuming about this."

In a statement, Humberside Police confirmed that a 28-year-old Hornsea man and a 25-year-old man from Beverley had been arrested in the raid.

No action was taken against the Hornsea man, who did not live at the address, and the Beverley man was released after being cautioned.

A police spokeswoman said following an investigation officers had considered this the most appropriate action.

The spokeswoman said: "All equipment to grow the cannabis plants and the plants themselves have been seized.

"We would encourage members of the public to inform us of any suspicious drug-related activity in their area."

Labour Councillor John Hewitt, whose Longhill ward includes Waveney Road, said he would be looking into the situation.

Source: Hull Daily Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd
Contact: letters@hulldailymail.co.uk
Website: http://www.thisishull.co.uk/