Two cannabis farms discovered in Merseyside with arrests made

Officers discovered two separate cannabis farms in Merseyside on Tuesday 4 June.

The first cannabis farm was found at a unit on Marl Road in Kirkby after officers on patrol responded to reports of a strong cannabis smell emanating from unit.

After investigating they discovered around 110 cannabis plants in various stages of growth.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of producing or cultivating a cannabis plant a Class B controlled drug. They were:

• Four men aged 27, 37, 38 and 43 years from Doncaster, Boston in Lincolnshire, and Chester
• Two woman aged 29 and 36 years from Doncaster and Chester

They have been bailed pending further enquiries.

The second discovery of around 150 cannabis plants over eight growing rooms were found at an address on Prescot Road in Old Swan.

The premises was made safe by our Cannabis Dismantling Team and our enquiries are ongoing.

Scottish Power have attended both properties and made the electrics safe.

Matt Brown, who leads the Cannabis Dismantling Team, said: “Cannabis farms in neighbourhoods pose a real risk to nearby residents who not only have to put up with the anti-social behaviour associated with this criminality, but also the risk of a fire being ignited from illegally extracting electricity. This shows the occupant has a total disregard of the safety of residents or businesses close by.

“It also highlights the importance that we find cannabis farms as quickly as possible. Nobody wants to live or work close to a potential death-traps such as this, and it is often thanks to people living in the areas affected who tell us about their suspicions, and the proactivity of our officers, that we are able to take action.

“Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear where criminals involved have no thought for anyone other than themselves.

“If you spot any signs that cannabis is being grown near where you live and work please let us know so that we can continue to take action. Any information helps residents and the work we do, so make us aware and we will investigate.”

A video in which Matt Brown, head of our Cannabis Dismantling Team explains how you can spot signs of cannabis being grown near where you live can be found here - https://youtu.be/rc59i2dsZHM

Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:

- Strange smells and sounds

- Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times

- Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting

- Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed

- Heat from an adjoining property

- Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather

Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more suspicious

Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.