Avon and Somerset Police have seized more than 2800 cannabis plants, with a street value of around £1.5m, found hidden in an industrial unit in Bristol.
The factory was found at Newbridge Trading estate in Brislington in the City as part of Operation Viscount - a dedicated operation to tackle cannabis cultivation across the force area. Force Drugs Strategy Manager Paul Bunt said:
"This was a very sophisticated set up and a highly organised production site. Today's seizures will have a direct impact on the supply of cannabis in Bristol. All of these plants will now been destroyed and will not reach some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
We will now seek to place those responsible for their cultivation before the courts. Cannabis is seen by some as a lower level drug but we take it very seriously. The cannabis trade itself is illegal but it can also bring other crime to an area if a factory is located there. I would ask the community to continue to support our work."
The following are some of the tell tale signs of properties being used for growing cannabis. They include:
Windows permanently covered from the inside
Visits to the premises at unusual times of the day or night
People visiting just to "maintain" the house
Daily or weekly calls at the house by people who stay for a short time
Black bin bags or laundry bags being taken away
Compost bags or gardening equipment left outside, usually at the rear of the premises
Vents protruding through the roof or a rear window
Strange, pungent smells from the premises
Unusual noises from equipment such as cooling fans
Never approach a property you are concerned could be a cannabis factory. Please call your local officer on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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