Police find cannabis factory in Swindon (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Police find cannabis factory in Swindon

8:01am Wednesday 10th September 2008 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Police have uncovered one of the largest cannabis factories in Swindon - capable of raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for organised criminals.

Number 104 Whitworth Road is the latest, and one of the most sophisticated, of 20 cannabis factories to be dismantled this year.

Divisional Commander of Swindon operations Paul Howlett has warned that the factories are part of a network of serious criminals.

"The tentacles of organised crime have spread into cannabis factories as there is so much cash to be made," he said.

"There is evidence to suggest that many of these cannabis factories form part of a much larger criminal organisation.

"And it is illegal immigrants who are brought into the country to cultivate the plant, which adds another dimension to the human suffering."

The Whitworth Road property stank with the sickly smell of more than 1,000 plants growing under 90 lamps, with nearly every room full of plants grown in hydroponic systems.

Five rooms were packed with plants and it is believed the man and woman who tended the plants slept on mattresses in the kitchen.

Officers raided the house on Monday at about 1pm after an unrelated tip-off.

PC Joe Tompkinson said: Nearly every room has been stripped bare of all furniture and turned into a factory. We were quite surprised by the level of organisation."

Officers believe the mature weeds were ready for harvesting.

A case of seeds was also uncovered, which may have been prepared for the next harvest.

PC Conrad Ball, of the North Swindon neighbourhood policing team, said: "The situation was quite dangerous, as it was an extensive cannabis factory.

"It is a residential area and there is a big risk of fire and a danger to people living here."

Resident Elaine Butler was worried to find out what the quiet house harboured. We did not know it was a cannabis factory," she said.

"All we saw were some people coming in once a week. I am shocked, as it is not what you want to be living next door to."

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Capstick said: "We are pleased with the progress being made on drugs but we are not complacent and seek the assistance of the public in identifying premises in Swindon where the selling of drugs takes place.

"The crime asssociated with drug supply is far reaching and we work with partner agencies and the public to deal with these cases."

No one has yet been arrested.