Watch as massive £1.7m South Yorkshire cannabis farm raided by police
The huge raid saw hundreds of plants seized
South Yorkshire Police have uncovered a £1.7 million cannabis farm after a huge raid.
Officers say a significant drug supply chain has been disrupted after the discovery at a warehouse in a rural part of the city.
After gathering a wealth of intelligence, officers obtained a legal warrant to raid an industrial premises in Lodge Lane, Braithwaite, Doncaster on Monday morning (3 August).
Inside a metal warehouse on the site, they found a huge cannabis farm filled with 1,790 plants, as well as a 23-year-old man who was immediately arrested by officers on suspicion of producing cannabis.
He has since been charged with the same offence and made his first appearance before Barnsley Magistrates' Court yesterday (4 August).
Officers made three arrests in total with a 41-year-old man and 40-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis. They have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
The man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of firearm offences, with officers seizing weapons from a property on the premises.
Doncaster North Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant Emma Townley, who led Monday's operation, said: "This was a very significant grow with a street value of millions of pounds, and it's clear that this set-up was the work of an organised crime group.
"The warehouse had been fully and carefully converted to provide the perfect conditions for growing cannabis on an industrial scale.
"Had we not intercepted this grow, these drugs would have found their way onto our streets and we know that drug use and drug dealing are directly linked to violent crime, exploitation and unwanted antisocial behaviour.
"By eliminating this threat, we've been able to cut off and disrupt a major drug supply line and we need your help to continue doing this.
"The intelligence you provide about suspicious or unusual activities at addresses or premises helps us secure enough evidence to execute these warrants and keep our communities safe.
"Whatever you may think, cannabis is not a harmless drug, and if there is a cultivation near you, there is an increased risk of violence.
"Do the right thing and report cannabis farms growing in your neighbourhoods to us or Crimestoppers immediately so we can take action and dismantle more of these drug supply chains in Doncaster and across South Yorkshire."
Spotting the signs of a cannabis cultivation
How do you know if a cannabis farm is growing in a property or premise near you?
Crimestoppers has provided information on this
- A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma
- Frequent visitors throughout the day and night
- Blacked out windows, or vents sealed/blocked to prevent the heat and smell of cannabis from inside the property escaping
- Chinks of bright light throughout the night
- Birds gathering on the roof, particularly in cold weather
- In winter, snow melting unusually quickly on the roof
- High levels of condensation on windows
- Noise from fans
- Large amounts of rubbish, including compost bags
- Electricity meter being tampered with/altered and new cabling, sometimes leading to street lighting
How to report cannabis cultivations to police
If you suspect a property, building or premise is being used to grow cannabis illegally, then please report it to South Yorkshire Police on the non-emergency 101 number or via the website.