Cannabis seized in Middleton

Cannabis plants have been discovered by police in Middleton. 
 
At about 5.30pm last night (11 August 2010), officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a warrant at a house on Elmbank Road, Middleton.

More than 100 plants worth more than £1,000 were found in the back bedroom along with cultivation equipment.

Later that day, at about 7.35pm, another warrant was executed on Oakdene Road, Middleton, where 10 fully grown plants and 143 juvenile plants were found in the loft. A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of production of a Class B drug and was later cautioned.

Police Constable Rob Smith said: "This is an excellent result, both for police and more importantly for the community.

"We have recovered a lot of cannabis plants which could yield hundreds of pounds worth of drugs that could otherwise have found their way onto the streets of our communities and into circulation.

"Unfortunately, drug addiction can lead offenders into committing other serious crimes such as burglary and robbery to feed their habit, so to have recovered such a large amount of cannabis before it can cause any harm is a good result.

"Greater Manchester Police will always act on information provided to us by the public, so if anyone knows about the production of cannabis in the area, then please get in touch.

"I would also urge people to continue to be vigilant and if they spot unusual activity at houses to call us. Tell-tale signs can often include lots of different people coming and going at unusual times and all of the windows in a property being covered day and night, as well as a pungent smell."

Anyone with information on the supply of drugs in the area should call police on 0161 872 5050 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.