2:12pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008
A HOUSE in Grappenhall was a facade for an elaborate cannabis factory growing hundreds of plants with an estimated street value of £90,000, police have discovered.
Sergeant Graham Robinson and CSO Victoria Fox from Warrington South Neighbourhood Policing Unit made the discovery at the house in Kildonan Road on Saturday morning after residents contacted police with concerns about the property.
Around 300 cannabis plants were found in the early stages of growth in the majority of the rooms as well as thousands of pounds worth of plant–growing equipment – including lamps, transformers and extractor fans – and other drug paraphernalia.
Inspector Sarah Edgar, of Warrington South NPU, said: “This has been a significant find and fortunately, with the help of the community, we have been able to put a stop to this.
“We will now do everything we can to trace those responsible. This case highlights the importance of community intelligence and we would urge residents to continue providing us with information so we can continue to tackle the issue of drugs.
“Every piece of information – no matter how small – is useful when we are piecing together a case.”
Forensic experts have seized all the evidence, maximising the possibility of tracing those responsible for running the drugs factory and although no arrests have yet been made officers have a number of leads.
Anyone with any information about drug use in the area can contact Sergeant Robinson by calling the Warrington South Community Action Team on 0845 4586372 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.