Hundreds of cannabis plants seized by police in drugs blitz
Police in Cumbria have seized nearly 700 cannabis plants worth £550,000 in a massive drugs crackdown.
Raids were carried out over three days, targeting industrial-scale cannabis farms run by organised crime gangs.
The swoop was part of Operation Mille, a national effort to tackle illegal grows, and Cumbria Constabulary's Operation Alliance with overall aims to bust serious and organised crime.
Cops stormed properties in Workington and Seascale, shutting down drug factories.
Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey said these cannabis farms are no small-time operations: 'Some people may think cannabis-related crime is not serious.
'But some of the grows uncovered by our officers in Cumbria during their duties and investigations throughout the year are on an industrial level.
'This type of drugs enterprise in general can also involve exploitation and violence, with crime gangs using this to protect their cannabis grows.
'People should be under no illusion that serious and organised crime groups operate in Cumbria.
'It is these groups who are behind the industrial levels of cannabis growth grown in the sort of premises we target all-year-round.'
He urged the public to be on high alert and report suspicious activity.
Telltale signs of a cannabis farm include:
Strong, sickly odours coming from a property
Windows constantly covered
Excessive security measures like CCTV
Condensation on windows
A high number of visitors at odd hours
Bright lights running all day and night
The constant hum of ventilation
DS Hussey added of the dangers these illegal operations pose: 'Cannabis farms are very dangerous places and pose a serious risk of fire.
'Often the electricity meter has been bypassed - and seriously overloaded electrical circuits run close to water-filled pipes.
'Plants grown upstairs in a building can also cause floorboards to rot, presenting the danger of collapse.'
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Do you have information that can help the police?
Anyone with information can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.
You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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