Police swoop on Exeter cannabis factory
POLICE discovered a cannabis factory in a converted loft after raiding a house in the city.
Police swooped on the two-bedroom property in King Arthur’s Road, Beacon Heath, after receiving tip-offs from neighbours.
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DRUG RAID: PC Kelly Solman at Heavitree Road Police Station with the cannabis plants found at a house in the city OLIVER SANDERS EE031109_OS05_02
Around 15 plants were found in the loft of the property, which officers claim had been converted into a fully operational cannabis farm.
The property is believed to be occupied by a couple with children.
Police have described the set-up as a sophisticated and professional operation.
A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and was being quizzed by officers last night.
Officers from Exeter’s PACT — Partners and Communities Together — team hailed yesterday morning’s raid a success.
And they hope the operation will encourage more residents to come forward with their concerns about drugs and anti-social behaviour.
Sergeant Dan Hall, of Exeter’s PACT team, said: “A team of six officers from the PACT team executed a warrant at the address at around 10.30am.
“We discovered a hydroponics set-up located in the loft of the property, where we seized around 15 cannabis plants.
“The loft had been fully converted; it was a fairly professional set-up, with fans and lighting equipment.
“The raid was the result of community-led intelligence and concerns from residents in the area.”
Officers have urged residents across the city to be wary of any suspicious behaviour in their communities and to report any strange comings and goings from properties.
They warn that cannabis farms will often not be detectable by smell alone.
Sgt Hall added: “Anyone who sees anything suspicious, or who witnesses repeated comings and goings from a property, should contact us.
“Residents should not rely on smell alone when it comes to cannabis farms as sophisticated set-ups will often have ventilators to get rid of the smell.
“We are getting some good community intelligence coming through as a result of some of the recent operations we have carried out in Exeter.
“We are showing residents that we are listening to what they are telling us and acting on it.
“And we want to instil confidence in people to come forward and report things that concern them.
“We will be dropping leaflets in the King Arthur’s Road area informing residents about the operation we have carried out.”
Anyone who has any concerns about drugs in their community should contact Exeter’s PACT team on 08452 777444.
3 Comments
by Bob, Somewhere
Saturday, November 07 2009, 5:42PM
“Absolute lunacy. I daresay the cannabis was intended for personal use and at most the use of a few friends. Furthermore the fact the person was growing themselves means they would not have been supporting a street dealer's criminality. Not only that, but they will have paid VAT on all the nutrients and equipment needed to set up the grow, thereby actually giving money to the government. How many thousands of pounds were wasted on mounting a police operation against this small-time operator? Where were the vietnamese child slaves that these draconian rules are supposed to protect?
D&C Constabulary should really be more aware of the current political climate as regards the public's attitude to cannabis - the vast majority of British citizens have absolutely no problem with it at all.
Going after small-timers like this is a waste of resources when so much violent crime goes unpunished.
Devon and Cornwall should be leading the way, not still stuck three decades behind the times!”
by Kieran, Exeter
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 5:10PM
“Thank God they caught this in time. Who knows what would have happened if he had actually harvested those plants! Seriously though, this is a waste of money. Rapists and violent thugs are out attacking people on our streets and the police are out catching people for growing a plant. People should be allowed to grow a plant in the privacy of their own home. I wonder where the victims of this crime are. And what's with calling a simple grow set-up a "Cannabis factory"? Does that make our lawns "grass factories"? Or our flower beds "flower factories"? It's a clear manipulation of language to stop people thinking of Cannabis sativa as a plant, even though it's one of the oldest plants used by man.”
by GRIBBLE, COWICK ST
Wednesday, November 04 2009, 1:42PM
“Why do the police have to keep busybodying.
it was only a bit of weed and fair play to growers they wernt sat on their backsides waiting for handouts.
i wish the police would try a bit harder catching thr muggers,rapists and violent people that seem to roam Exeter.”