Police recover 250 cannabis plants in Heywood

The cannabis farm

Police have recovered 250 cannabis plants after raiding an industrial unit on Fox Street in Heywood.

Officers had been alerted after workers from the building's energy supplier had gone into the building to disconnect the electricity after an unpaid bill.

Officers raided the property shortly after 8.45am on 28 July 2011 and recovered approximately 250 cannabis plants, all of which were ready for harvest.

The farm is estimated to be worth around £150,000, including the value of the equipment.

Inquiries are now continuing to find the people responsible for the cannabis farm.

Sergeant Neil Killen from the Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “This was clearly a professionally run cannabis factory as there was a significant amount of specialist equipment that had been installed.

“The electricity supply had been illegally tampered with and colleagues from United Utilities were called out to make the electricity supply safe.

“PCSOs in the area have dropped off leaflets and have been on hand to address any concerns, in an effort to inform and reassure the local community.

“This is an excellent result that has taken more than a hundred thousand pounds worth of drugs out of circulation.

“If anyone has any information or has seen people coming and going from this address, please get in touch with police as your information could be vital to our investigation.”

Anyone with information or concerns about drug dealing in their area should call police on 0161 856 8587 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.