Police close huge cannabis factories
TWO cannabis factories have been uncovered in Ipswich with a combined plant yield thought to be more than £2.1million.
Russell Claydon
TWO cannabis factories have been uncovered in Ipswich producing drugs with a potential street value of more than £2.1million.
Police raided premises at Felixstowe Road and Lister Road after being tipped off by members of the public.
Three males - including a 15-year-old boy - have appeared in court charged with drugs offences.
Detective Inspector Steve Clabburn, of Ipswich Drugs Team, said: “Nationally there has been an increase in the number of cannabis factories being uncovered by police. In Suffolk we too are seeing this trend, with more being uncovered each year.
“Many of the factories are detected after suspicions are raised by members of the local community and we are appealing for everyone's help in cracking down on this illegal practice.”
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Approximately 1,000 cannabis plants were uncovered in an outbuilding of the Felixstowe Road property after police executed a warrant at 9.45am on Wednesday.
In a separate incident, a second factory was found at 8.45am on Thursday in Lister Road where approximately 841 cannabis plants were recovered.
Det Insp Clabburn added: “These premises are a danger not only because the drugs that are grown will then be sold on our streets, but also because the premises themselves can potentially be a hazard.
“It is often the case that the electricity supply has been tapped into by these criminals, with exposed wiring to bypass the meter.”
Two people have been charged with being concerned in the production of cannabis and abstracting electricity and one person has been charged with production of cannabis.
Anyone who suspects that a premises is a cannabis factory is asked to call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
