Three cannabis producing units closed down in Shropshire
Three cannabis growing units producing plants and resin with a street value approaching £100,000 have been closed down by police in Shropshire.
Officers have revealed their latest successes in the fight against drug crime in the hope that people throughout Shropshire will help identify premises being used for cannabis cultivation.
They are currently monitoring further production outlets across the county, gathering evidence before moving in with search warrants.
Detective Sergeant Rod McNamara, head of the police Field Intelligence Unit in Shropshire, said: “We launched Operation Ranch in December to develop intelligence into the commercial growing of cannabis bush in rural Shropshire.
“The county’s topography lends itself well to activities of this nature due to its many isolated rural locations. Old outbuildings and disused farm buildings, tucked away in remote areas, provide good locations for the cultivation and production of cannabis.
“We need the public to pass on any information when their suspicions are raised. If people are seen coming and going from old barns or similar buildings which were previously not used or if strangers are seeking to rent old buildings, let us know. We can easily check it out and if it’s genuine, no harm has been caused.
“Likewise in more urban areas, report anything suspicious such as permanently drawn curtains, heavy condensation on windows, excessive heat being emitted and in all cases where a sweet pungent smell is noticed.”
Three men are currently on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis with intent to supply.
One was arrested in the Belvidere area of Shrewsbury where 10 mature cannabis plants were discovered in a loft together with 50 bars of cannabis resin. More than 80 ounces of dried cannabis bush were seized from an outbuilding at Llynclys and one arrest made and a further arrest was made following the discovery of a growing environment at premises in Oswestry town centre.
Detective Sergeant McNamara said some 90 per cent of cannabis bush consumed on mainland UK was actually grown in the United Kingdom.
“The majority of large-scale cannabis growing environments are controlled by organised crime gangs involved in money laundering, people trafficking, violence and other serious crime. Massive sums of money are involved.
“Operation Ranch in Shropshire seeks to gather intelligence on cannabis cultivation and where appropriate to carryout enforcement action on those responsible. In a wider context, Op Ranch will feed intelligence into partner agencies and other police forces to allow a more detailed picture to be developed with a view to identifying cross-border criminal networks.”
Contact Shrewsbury police station on 0300-333-3000 if you can assist the police, or call the anonymous Crimestoppers number, 0800-555-111.
