Blidworth landlord’s property wrecked by Bristol man’s cannabis factory

Police have told how Langton Machacha bypassed the meter while providing power to the crop - causing holes in ceilings and water damage to floors and carpets valued at £3,455.

The cost of the stolen electricity was found to be close to the value of £2,500.

Officers were alerted to the drugs factory when a gas engineer - called out to change the meter - called them reporting a strong smell of drugs coming from the house.

After gaining entry police found around 30 cannabis plants in the attic and the garage, as well as more drugs in boxes around the property.

Machacha, 36, of Northfield Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to cannabis production, abstraction of electricity and criminal damage.

He was jailed for two years, suspended for two years, at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

Detective Constable Christine Hewlett said: "We are dedicated to interrupting drug supply across Nottinghamshire - it preys on vulnerable people, fuels crime and causes nuisance to those who live nearby.

"We also found that the electricity had been by-passed at the premises - this can put not only the offenders lives at risk with illegal and unsafe tampering of the electricity supply but also their neighbours.

“Drugs can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and on the community as a whole.

“I’d like to reassure the local Blidworth community that we are determined to do all we can to disrupt this type of activity and to keep them safe.

"We won’t hesitate to take robust action to target and disrupt suspected drug-related criminality in our neighbourhoods.

“We are fully committed to working with our local communities to act on intelligence and it can be that information provided to us by local people, about suspicious activity in their areas, that can be the final piece in the puzzle leading to action being taken.

“Information provided to us by local communities is vital so if you see anything suspicious in your area please report it to us by calling Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

"Alternatively you can provide information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.”

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