Congleton Local Policing Unit which covers Middlewich has shut down a cannabis farm at an empty business premises in Middlewich.

On 4 November officers from the local policing unit executed a warrant at the address in Newton Bank following information drugs were being grown in the property.

Once inside, the officers discovered a substantial cannabis grow which they have been removing from the building along with the kit being used to grow the drugs on an almost industrial scale.

PC Adam Archer said: "The premises was capable of producing in the region of 70kg of cannabis per year that would have a potential street value of over £800,000 per year.

"This is just one of many operations we carry out to target illegal drugs from getting into our community whether that's carrying out warrants, targeting dealers or shutting down houses used to deal drugs – all to help improve the communities we live in."

There are a number of signs that could indicate that a property is being used as a cannabis farm, including:

• A strong and sickly-sweet smell
• Equipment to grow cannabis being taken into a property, such as lighting and ventilation equipment
• Constantly covered or blocked-off windows – cannabis farms often have constantly closed curtains, black-out blinds, or foil coverings
• People coming and going at all hours or neighbours you never see
• Strong and constant lighting day and night
• High levels of heat and condensation – cannabis farms often give off heat, and the windows stay misted up
• A constant buzz of ventilation – listen out for a whirring sound as the growers try to create an ideal climate for cannabis plants to grow.
• Lots of power cables – offenders often dig underground to lay cables that hook up to things like lamp posts, so they do not have to pay for the enormous amounts of electricity they use.

To report a suspected cannabis farm or any other type of drug-related offence, call us 101, give the details online at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us.

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