£60k cannabis factory sniffed out after driver stopped for using mobile
A £60,000 cannabis haul was sniffed out by police after they stopped a motorist for using his mobile phone.
Around 3.45pm on Wednesday a driver was pulled over on the Hednesford Road in Cannock.
As officers were duly dealing with the 38-year-old man for using his phone they could smell cannabis and subsequently searched the vehicle finding an amount of the class B drug.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis, but continuing the investigation police searched a property at Lothians Road, Pelsall, in Walsall where they came across a substantial production factory.
In total 51 plants were seized as well as large amount of harvested cannabis worth an estimated £60,000.
A statement from Staffordshire Police said: "Officers on routine patrol stopped a vehicle at 3.45pm on Wednesday (22 March) on Hednesford Road after noticing the driver was using a mobile phone.
"When the vehicle stopped officers became suspicious due to the smell of cannabis and carried out a search. A quantity of cannabis was discovered.
"The 38-year-old male driver was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply and taken into custody.
"A subsequent search of an address in Lothians Road, Pelsall, resulted in the recovery of 51 cannabis plants, together with a large quantity of harvested cannabis with an estimated street value of £60,000."
Chief Inspector Geoff Knight, commander of Cannock Local Policing Team, added: "This is an excellent example of the proactive police work that continually takes place across the district.
"I hope this sends out a stark warning that if you come to Cannock with the intention of selling drugs we will catch you. Illegal drugs and drugs activity in our district will not be tolerated."
The was bailed until a date in July.
