Trio arrested as police uncover 'one of largest' cannabis factories in years worth £800k
Three people have been arrested after one of the largest cannabis factories in years was discovered in Staffordshire.
The drugs factory was found inside a large barn in the grounds of a former farm in Lodge Lane on the border of Saredon and Cheslyn Hay.
Officers from South Staffordshire Local Police Team (LPT) seized 1,606 cannabis plants with a street value of a £800,000 after they executed the drugs warrant along with colleagues from Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Chuong Pham, aged 47 and Dung Nguyen, 44, both of no fixed address, were arrested and appeared before magistrates in Newcastle-under-Lyme on Thursday and they were remanded in custody to appear at Stafford Crown Court on a date to be set.
A 53-year-old man from Wolverhampton was also arrested and he remains on bail pending further enquiries.
The raid was carried out on Wednesday.
Insp Geoff Knight, from Staffordshire Police, said: "This is the largest seizure of this kind we have had in the area in the last few years.
"The barn is approximately 600 sqm and housed a total of 1,606 cannabis plants.
"Through the force's ongoing Operation Nemesis we are committed to tackling drug activity in our communities and will work alongside partners to bring those involved to justice."
