Cannabis factory discovered at abandoned Walsall garage

The now defunct Longwood MOT Centre, on Walsall Wood Road, adjacent to Lazy Hill Pharmacy and Co-Op supermarket, was discovered to have hosted up to 250 cannabis plants.

The original owners of Longwood MOT Centre, often referred to as Lazy Hill Garage by local people, moved to North Birmingham Motors, at Middlemore Lane West, in Aldridge, in 2018. Since then, the old site has been abandoned.

It also comes after a 10-year-old local boy in Aldridge was found safe and well after being reported missing by his family at 1.30pm on Saturday.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We discovered around 250 cannabis plants at a property in Walsall Wood Road, Aldridge, on Saturday.

“Anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat on our website or call 101. Quote 20/331077/22.”

One resident said he saw two police officers outside the garage waiting for an electrician to come by and switch the power off.

He said: “I was standing outside Lazy Hill Fish and Chips shop on Saturday afternoon at around 4.30pm when I saw two police officers standing around what used to be Lazy Hill Garage.

“They weren’t doing much, but they did say they were waiting for an electrician to come along and switch the power off. I wasn’t too sure why, though I had neighbours speculate it may have been because of suspicious drug activity.”

Councillor Gary Clarke said: “This is a good job from West Midlands police in tackling organised crime.

“I’m really pleased to see local residents work together to stop these criminals. It is great to see them unite against this sadly recurring crime that is blighting our local areas.”

Councillor Pardeep Kaur said: “We’ve had an issue with drugs on our streets for quite a while. So I have to say well done to the police for discovering this cannabis factory.

“It is important for us as members of the public, but also as parents, to protect our children from the anti-social behaviour and crime surrounding drugs.”