Cannabis seized in Castleton

The cannabis siezed from a house in Castleton

A man has been arrested and around 60 cannabis plants seized in Castleton.

Officers from Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a warrant at a house on St Martin’s Street yesterday (Friday 27 August 2010).

They found around 60 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £5,000 and a large amount of drugs paraphernalia.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity and remains in custody for questioning.

The seizure follows a similar operation on 4 August 2010 were officers recovered 200 cannabis plants from another house on the same road.

PC Andrew Marsh, of the Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These raids highlight the work we are doing to target drugs in the area.

"We would like people to come forward with information. We know that there are people who can help us.

"Our message to them is that is that we are not looking for you, but for those who have been cultivating these drugs."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 ???? or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Signs of cannabis farms include: 

• People arriving and leaving properties at random times of the day and night
• A pungent aroma in the area
• Large amounts of electrical wiring, light fittings, chemicals or compost being delivered to residential premises
• Blacked out windows or bright lights coming from a number of windows all night long
• Landlords and letting agents can also play a key role in helping police identify suspects as cannabis farming is mostly carried out in rented property. The damage they can leave behind can cost tens of thousands of pounds to put right, which is not covered by insurance
• Electricity illegally extracted by the growers to power the lights and fans can total tens of thousands of pounds and the utilities companies will seek to recover the cost from landlords
• The wiring installed by the growers has led to large house fires, on occasions completely destroying the property