Police weed out cannabis factories

More than 300 cannabis factories were raided by police in the West Midlands last year, it was revealed today.

Officers found growing equipment and plants worth millions of pounds at suburban homes and industrial premises.

It comes after a large quantity of the drug was seized during a raid at a house in Pensnett.

Cannabis and equipment used in drug dealing was seized from a property in Church Street which was targeted at 11am yesterday.

Officers from Brierley Hill police executed a search warrant at the property and a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of the supply of the drugs.

Earlier this month, police discovered 100 cannabis plants at a house in Stone.

Officers raided the property in Oak Road after receiving tip-offs from members of the community.

Last year, police smashed a network of cannabis factories operating from homes in residential areas of Wolverhampton.

A number of Vietnamese people were arrested and operations uncovered in streets such as Owen Road, in Penn Fields, Renton Road, in Oxley and Beverley Crescent, in Lanesfield. Two homes had been turned into one large factory in Wynchcombe Avenue, Penn.

Police say the blitz severely disrupted the supply of the drug in the city.

Homes are often rented out by unsuspecting landlords to gangsters who then let "foot soldiers" live in the properties and then cultivate plants.

Far Eastern gangs pay illegal immigrants to mind addresses and look after the plants.

Complex lighting and growing equipment is often used and electricity is stolen from other properties by rewiring.

Gangsters have been known to booby-trap doors with electric circuits to hamper police or intruders. Det Insp Mark Payne, of Wednesfield CID, said: "We will do everything in our power to stop the people who are causing this misery around Wolverhampton."

Speaking about yesterday's raid in Pensnett, Pc Cheryl Reed, from the Brierley Hill and Pensnett neighbourhood policing team, said: "The warrant was executed as a result of working closely with the local community and responding to their concerns.

"Anyone with information about crime in their local area is urged to speak to officers at their local police station."

* Anyone with information on cannabis factories operating in the West Midlands has been asked to contact officers by telephoning 0845 113 5000.