£100k worth of cannabis found in Whitworth property

Cannabis

Rossendale Police raided a house in Whitworth on Monday morning (29 June) to discover a cannabis farm containing more than 500 plants.

The find followed several pieces of information relating to a property on Hall Street being reported to Crimestoppers, a community program that allows people to provide anonymous information about criminal activity.

A spokesperson for the Rossendale Police team said: “We would like to thank members of the public who contacted Crimestoppers recently regarding an address at Hall Street, Whitworth. Several good pieces of information have led officers to attend an address early morning on the 29 June 2020.

“On entering the property, officers have found a complete house conversion with most rooms boarded out, including the loft and cellar, all equipped with expensive electrical systems, heaters, lighting to ensure optimum growth and over 500 substantial cannabis plants.

“All plants have been seized and destroyed, along with thousands of pounds worth of hydroponic growing equipment. The electrical supply to the premises, which had been bypassed, is now rectified and safe for neighbouring residents.

“With each plant giving an estimated yield of £200-£400, this is a significant disruption to organised crime who use premises like this to fund their activities.

“This operation has cost organised crime easily in excess of £100,000, thanks to you, we have hit them where it hurts.”

Enquiries are still ongoing to identify the operators of the premises.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.