Senior detective warns of violence linked to cannabis farms after £750,000 drug den found in Sheffield

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Henderson, one of South Yorkshire’s most senior ranking detectives, issued the warning after the force discovered a cannabis farm above a restaurant on London Road last week.

COURT: Evil Sheffield men prepare to be sentenced over rape and sexual exploitation of teenage girl

APPEAL: Police growing ‘increasingly concerned’ for safety of missing Sheffield woman

DCI Henderson said: “There are many serious risks attached to these incidents and we’ve previously seen extreme levels of violence used by people who ‘tax’ these set-ups, often causing serious injury to a ‘gardener’ who may also be a victim of exploitation.

“Cannabis is big business for organised crime groups who often use rental properties and have gardeners or exploit vulnerable people to distance themselves from their illegal activity. The produce of one plant could ultimately have a street value in excess of £1,000.

“Some areas of society see it as a socially acceptable drug but I see the consequences of cannabis grows.

“There are instances where people are trafficked into the country and are held captive and ordered to care for the plants. There are faced with threats of repercussions, including violence or food deprivation if not done properly. These people are isolated, left alone in empty houses with no contact with the outside world.

“They rarely escape and are often locked in. They are in a country they don’t know, they often speak no English, have no money and do not think anyone will help them. What’s more, they live in fear of the gangs holding them.”

He added: “Another consequence is an increased risk of attracting other criminals to the property. I see many examples of officers attending scenes where cannabis has been illegally grown and other criminal groups have entered the property to take the plants. We refer to these as ‘taxings’. In my experience, these are nearly always by force, with weapons like bats, knives or guns, and I often see extreme levels of violence used.

“These grows also present a risk to innocent members of the community who suffer because of offenders targeting the wrong property.”