Man arrested in £250,000 Telford cannabis raid

One man was arrested after officers burst into the home in Manor Road, Hadley, and found a "sophisticated" and "professional" growing operation.

More than 200 cannabis plants were found growing in every room apart from the lounge and the kitchen in the three-bed terraced home, including the loft.

Police also discovered sophisticated hydroponic growing equipment and said those responsible had also diverted the electricity supply.

Detective Sergeant John Taylor of West Mercia Police said it was the biggest haul found by officers in the force this year.

He said an eight-strong team descended on the street yesterday morning to carry out the raid.

DS Taylor said: "The house had numerous rooms which had been converted into cannabis growing areas, including the loft, three bedrooms and two rooms downstairs.

"There were numerous plants in each room and it was a very sophisticated set up with hydroponics.

"If you work on a valuation of £1,000 per plant, which is the rough figure we use, then you are looking at nearly £250,000 worth of drugs.

"One man was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and is currently at Malinsgate police station helping police with their inquiries.

"The raid came about as a result of police patrols in the area which led us to this particular address, so we went to court to get a warrant and executed that in yesterday's raid.

"It was a very well-thought out and quite technical growing operation. It is the biggest one our department has dealt with this year."

Pensioner Leonard Sanders, who lives next door to the house, said he was unwittingly caught up in the morning raid as police initially thought his house might also have drugs in it.

The 70-year-old said: "I was just getting ready to leave the house to go and see my friend in Market Drayton when I had the police banging on the door demanding to search the property.

"It was a bit of a shock at that time in the morning to be honest, they told me they were looking for drugs because there was a strong smell coming from upstairs in my house.

"I couldn't smell anything, I must have become immune to it.

"Anyway they didn't find anything, so the officers moved next door and found a load of drugs in there apparently.

"I never suspected anything like that was going on next door. It's not what you expect in a quiet street like this.

"A few months ago I remember hearing strange buzzing noises coming from there. Now I know what's happened, I imagine it was probably the growing equipment. But at the time you don't think anything of it."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the man living at the property had been there for around six months.

"I could smell it in my loft, that's how strong it was," she said.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.