A large-scale cannabis farm worth £200,000 has been discovered in a Newcastle house.
Officers raided a property on Hillhead Road, West Denton and once inside officers found more than 250 cannabis plants at various stages of growth - with an estimated value of more than £200,000.
Further searches also unearthed the property’s electricity had been bypassed and the electric company attended to make the property safe again.
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The farm was dismantled and a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and has since been dealt with via immigration officials.
Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), with support from NCA officers and Northumbria Police Neighbourhood Support Team, were involved in the raid on Friday.
The takedown is part of a continued region wide approach to tackle serious and organised crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel.
Speaking about the activity, Sergeant Neil Lovat, from NEROCU’s Disruption Team, said: “I hope this activity is a clear sign of our stance on illegal drug supply in our region.
“We know that members of the public have differing views on cannabis, but the reality is that a farm of this size will turn a significant profit which will then be reinvested into further illicit activity such as trafficking and exploitation by organised criminals, who have little to no concern for the ripple effects of their criminality.
“Many cannabis farms also bypass their electricity – creating a dangerous fire hazard. No-one wants to live near that which is why we, along with our partners, are committed to tackling this type of criminality in the North East.
“If you see anything suspicious in your community, please let police know. Your information could result in us bringing effective justice against criminals who are operating in your area.”
If you see anything suspicious in your community, always report it to police or in an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.
Alternatively, you can also report information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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