Police warning after cannabis factory found in Wem

Thursday 3rd March 2011, 11:28AM GMT.

Inside the Wem cannabis factory

Police today warned cannabis factories were becoming more common in rural areas such as Shropshire following the accidental discovery of hundreds of plants in the county.

Firefighters stumbled across a “growing environment” in an empty shop in Wem’s High Street early yesterday morning where they found about 700 plants, which police today said had the potential to raise £250,000 for those behind the operation.

Detective Sergeant Rod McNamara today described places like Shropshire as an “ideal” location for these types of operations.

He said: “This type of thing is becoming more prevalent in our area and rural areas make ideal locations.

“There are some obvious signs we look out for, such as boarded up windows, condensation on windows and the smell.

“We are appealing for people to contact us if they suspect drug cultivation or supplying is happening in a property in their neighbourhood.

“Often these type of things can go on unnoticed.”

Police launched Operation Ranch in December to develop intelligence into the commercial growing of cannabis bush in rural Shropshire.

Officers have revealed their latest successes in the fight against drug crime in the hope that people throughout the county will help identify premises being used for cannabis cultivation.

They are currently monitoring further suspected production units across the county, gathering evidence before moving in with search warrants to end production.

View more: Wem news.