£1.5 million cannabis factory discovered at industrial unit
Police have uncovered a large cannabis factory – with around 1,500 plants worth £1.5 million – inside an industrial unit in the West Midlands.
Officers came across the farm concealed within a unit on Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, shortly before 2pm on Tuesday, after an electrical warrant was conducted on the property.
The "sophisticated" set-up spanned four large rooms created in the unit and each was supplied with its own electricity supply, air ducts and filtration systems. The electrical supply to the building on the large filtration system was being bypassed.
Sergeant Adrian Cox from the Sutton Coldfield Neighbourhood Priority Team said: “This is a significant find and not the kind of activity the community of Walmley would expect to find on their doorstep.
“Seizing a crop of this size will undoubtedly have a significant impact in disrupting organised criminals.
“In making the electricity safe, there was a power outage which affected many nearby factory units and residents, so I would like to thank anyone affected for their patience as we dealt with this complex system.
“I would also like to reassure the community we are dedicated to investigating and disrupting those who choose to embark in this kind of criminal behaviour and encourage anyone to report any suspicious behaviour to us.”
Police remained at the scene on Wednesday, as they continued to forensically examine the units.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 2356 of October 6.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
