Cannabis farm sniffed out in Ellesmere Port

A cannabis farm has been shut down by police in Ellesmere Port.

At 4.12pm on 24th February police were called to an address on Alexandra Street in Ellesmere Port following reports that the windows were being broken at a suspected cannabis farm.

Officers entered the property with a drugs’ dog which indicated that the cannabis was actually located next door. Officers then forced entry to the neighbouring property to find there were cannabis plants on every floor of the three-storey house. The electricity had also been tampered with.

Once the property was made safe by electricity engineers the cannabis and growing equipment was seized. Enquiries are ongoing into identifying those responsible.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray said:

“Although no one was present at the address, we have disrupted the illegal drug supply by removing the plants for destruction and we are continuing our enquiries into establishing who is responsible for the grow.

“Criminals will use any building they can find, whether empty or for rent, in order to grow cannabis. That’s why we are urging people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. It’s also vital landlords carry out regular checks to ensure their properties haven’t been taken advantage of by these unscrupulous opportunists.”

There are a number signs that could indicate that a property is being used as a cannabis farm, including:

• A strong and sickly sweet smell
• Equipment to grow cannabis being taken into a property, such as lighting and ventilation equipment
• Constantly covered or blocked-off windows – cannabis farms often have constantly closed curtains, black-out blinds or foil coverings
• People coming and going at all hours or neighbours you never see
• Strong and constant lighting day and night
• High levels of heat and condensation – cannabis farms often give off heat and the windows stay misted up
• A constant buzz of ventilation – listen out for a whirring sound as the growers try to create an ideal climate for cannabis plants to grow.
• Lots of power cables – offenders often dig underground to lay cables that hook up to things like lamp posts so they do not have to pay for the enormous amounts of electricity they use.

To report a suspected cannabis farm or any other type of drug-related offence, call us 101, give the details via our website:

www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us

...or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on:

0800 555 111