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.

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.