Following intelligence passed to our officers, a network of cannabis farms was discovered in 3 properties in Rochdale and were quickly dismantled by our officers. Each one of the properties had sophisticated modifications, including watering systems, high powered lighting and bespoke tents. These modifications of the property were estimated to have caused damage running into tens of thousands of pounds.
Electricity Northwest engineers attended all three sites to assess the property and observed that electrical bypasses were extremely dangerous and seen to be melting the wiring. These were then made safe. A total of 448 plants and around 1/2 kg of cannabis were recovered across the three sites, with a potential street value of over £250k.
Detective Sergeant Gibson of GMP’s Rochdale Challenger Unit said: “Sadly for the organised criminals, their 3 grow sites were identified by police and decommissioned, with some of the plants not far off being ready to harvest.
“The discoveries highlight the need for landlords to do their upmost to conduct due diligence on potential tenants, and to never accept cash payments for rent, or rental payments in advance. The damage caused to today’s properties was extensive, and it was extremely lucky that they had not caught fire due to the electrics.
“Organised criminal groups who operate the control and supply of these drugs have a destructive impact on our communities and attract further criminality to the area.
Although we have 3 sites of cannabis production, our enquiries will remain ongoing, and we will continue in our pledge to disrupt this type of criminality.”
If anyone has any concerns about the trade of drugs in your area contact us directly on 101 or gmp.police.uk or through crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 111 555.
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