POLICE have discovered a cannabis farm during a raid in Heywood.
At 9.15am on Tuesday, 2 June, police raided a house on Egerton Street following reports cannabis was being grown there.
The house was searched and 25 plants were found in a first floor bedroom.
It is believed the plants have a street value of around £3,000.
Police Sergeant Valerie Lamb, of Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This might sound like a small discovery in relation to others we’ve made recently, but it is still significant and I am delighted these drugs will not make it on to the streets.
"We will continue to respond to information the public gives us to put a stop to drugs being supplied on the streets of Heywood."
A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and has been bailed until 31 July pending further inquiries.
If anyone has any information about the sale or use of drugs in the Heywood area or information about any crime please call the Heywood Neighbourhood Office on 0161 856 8589 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Do not become an unwilling accomplice
PROPERTY owners, letting agents and housing associations are being warned by police to be on their guard against criminals that rent residential property to use as cannabis farms and drug factories.
The awareness-raising event will take place today (Thursday) and cover the destructive impact that this crime can have on property and the damage it can do to local communities.
It has been organised by Greater Manchester Police’s Scorpion priority group that has been set up to fight drug crime and takes place during a national week of action against drug crime. There will be presentations by police officers, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and the Co-op Insurance Company.
Landlords and letting agents will be shown how to recognise the tell-tale signs that their property is being targeted by drug gangs and get advice on what to do in that situation.
Gangs often remove internal walls and floors, install watering and lighting systems, crude venting systems through external walls and roofs, and store soil, compost and chemicals.
These structural changes can leave the building unsafe, may cause it to be condemned or leave the landlord with a huge repair bill.
Most insurance companies are unlikely to pay out on buildings or contents policies in these situations.
