Star News

Cannabis growing operation was giving neighbours headaches

By St Helens Star newsdesk

10:00am Friday 19th March 2010

POLICE discovered a cannabis growing operation tucked inside a flat’s airing cupboard… after neighbours complained a pungent smell from the property had been giving them headaches.

Officers discovered the plants at an address in Newton-le-Willows and a 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

Neighbours had raised concerns about the strong smell coming from the flat, sparking the police action.

Problems with cannabis farms continue across the town, with discoveries having been made in former churches, industrial warehouses and houses in recent years.

A further swoop uncovered a suspected cannabis farm and £2,000 in cash inside a St Helens house last week.

Officers raided an address in the Prescot Road area, discovering a cannabis production facility, last Thursday.

There were 55 cannabis plants, believed to be of the strong skunk type, and an amount of “prepared harvested cannabis” say police.

A 29-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking offences and money laundering.

Both have been granted bail while the police investigation continues.

Inspector Dave Westby said: “I have no doubt that the cannabis seized in this raid was heading onto the streets of St Helens to be sold to youngsters.

“The good news here is that not only has the growing facility been shut down, but their ill-gotten gains have been seized.”

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