£16k cannabis farm found in unit owned by Staffordshire health boss
A £16,000 cannabis farm was discovered on an industrial unit owned by the man spearheading health and well-being in Staffordshire.
Police were called after more than 40 plants were discovered in an upstairs room in the industrial premises in Wolverhampton.
The unit is one of 24 on Marshalls Industrial Estate in Sedgley Street, Blakenhall, which is owned by Councillor Robert Marshall, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for health and well being.
The 54-year-old, who lives in Codsall, knew nothing about the drug farm until it was discovered by a new tenant, who had moved in to the unit after the previous occupant had been locked out in a dispute over unpaid rent.
The new tenant unscrewed the door to the upstairs room and found the remains of the cannabis, which had been grown in around 40 pots with a hydroponic set up of lights and heat.
Councillor Marshall today said the discovery had caused him much embarrassment and added: "I intend to be much more vigilant in future."
West Midlands Police spokesman Peter Edney said: "Officers were called to an industrial unit in Sedgley Street, Wolverhampton, at around 2.50pm on May 16 following reports that a cannabis factory had been uncovered.
"They found some hydroponic equipment but there were no plants at the location. Nobody has been arrested and there is no ongoing investigation."
