Bungling drug sellers arrange hashish manufacturing facility – reverse a police station
A massive £100,000 cannabis factory was discovered directly opposite a police station, after clueless drug dealers decided to set up shop there.
The audacious dealers established the large-scale operation in two vacant shops just nine metres away from Droitwich Police Station in Worcestershire. Unaware officers were tipped off about the overpowering stench by a local resident, leading them to raid the farm that had been right under their noses.
Officers wielding a chainsaw broke into the premises, discovering a suspect hiding in the loft and 100 plants worth an estimated £120,000.
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(Image: Newsquest / SWNS)
The man was nicked on suspicion of cannabis production and taken to Worcester Police Station for questioning. Locals living on Ombersley Street East, where the cannabis farm was located, expressed their shock at the brazen choice of location.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I can’t believe the brass neck of them. What is it, about 30ft from the police station? It’s literally across the road.”
West Mercia Police revealed that they raided the premises just yards from the station around 8am today, following reports from the public about the smell. PC Matt Shore, of West Mercia Police, made the arrest after he followed his instincts and found the suspect hidden inside loft insulation.
He spotted a recently smoked cigarette before cutting a slit in material to find a man crouching down behind it.
(Image: Newsquest / SWNS)
Sgt Shaun Blackshaw said: “We are actively targeting cannabis growers in Droitwich and elsewhere in South Worcestershire. Organised gangs will soon realise it will not be tolerated in this area.”
The plants were found seven different rooms – the ground floor, two first-floor rooms in one shop, two in the second shop and in the loft spaces of both vacant business premises. The electricity had been bypassed creating a fire hazard so police contacted the National Grid to make the property safe.
Charles Moyle, High Sheriff of Worcestershire and a JP, observed the warrant being executed. He said: “They’re hiding in plain sight, right opposite a police station. That shocked and surprised me.
“It’s beyond belief they should choose an area where children walk to school and where police are keeping the streets safe. It’s extraordinary. Officers are, throughout West Mercia, trying to tackle the epidemic of drug-related crime.
“They are also doing a brilliant job tackling the scourge of domestic violence and, working under very difficult circumstances, keeping girls and women safe. They are doing their absolute best to keep the streets clean of drugs.”
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