A LARGE cannabis farm has been discovered near the entrance to the Port Arcades shopping centre in Ellesmere Port.
Firefighters made the discovery of a large number of cannabis plants at the former Superdrug premises on Rivington Road, having investigated reports of a water leak at about 2pm on Wednesday, November 10.
On entering the building, they found a large cannabis farm.
Police are in attendance at the scene and recovery work is under way.
Police have cordoned off the former business premises on Rivington Road, where a large cannabis farm has been discovered.
Inspector Paul Fegan, of Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit, said: “This is a fantastic discovery and we are delighted to have removed a significant quantity of cannabis from the streets of Ellesmere Port.
“We know what negative impact illegal drug use and supply can have on the community and we continue to do all we can to put a stop to this sort of activity.”
No arrests have been made at the current time and enquiries in relation to the discovery are ongoing.
Following the discovery, officers are keen to remind members of the public about the signs that could indicate that a property is being used as for cannabis cultivation, these include:
- A strong and sickly sweet smell
- Equipment used 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 offenders 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.
- Anyone with information in relation to the discovery of the cannabis farm in Rivington Road is asked to contact Cheshire Police at www.cheshire.police.uk/tua, or 101, quoting IML 1129155.
Alternatively information can be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
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