Major cannabis factory found in Mansfield

Police found a major cannabis factory in Mansfield this morning.
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Officers, supported by police dogs, raided a commercial property in Rosemary Street shortly after 10.15am – smashing down the front door to gain entry.

Nearly 800 cannabis plant were found inside – along with a considerable amount of additional growing space and equipment.

The cannabis plants will be destroyed, police say.The cannabis plants will be destroyed, police say.
The cannabis plants will be destroyed, police say.
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Early estimates put the value of the drugs recovered in excess of £650,000.

All the plants have now been removed from the property and will be destroyed.

Thousands of pounds worth of sophisticated growing equipment will also be put beyond use.

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the production of cannabis and remains in police custody.

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Inspector Nick Butler, responsible for neighbourhood policing in Mansfield for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a significant and sophisticated cannabis grow that appears to have been operating for some time.

“There are hundreds of plants inside and early estimates suggest they have a value of at least £650,000.

“The community have been telling us for some time that they are concerned and that drugs are a real problem, so we are tackling all kinds of illegal drug use.

“I am totally aware that some people feel we should be focussing on Class A drugs, but it is also crucial that we tackle these cannabis factories because vulnerable people are being exploited within them – quite often locked inside and left without food and water by the by the organised gangs who are doing this.

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“And this isn’t the kind of cannabis people know about from years ago – this is extremely strong, cultivated cannabis that does an awful lot of harm.”

He added: “This is one of many cannabis factories in Nottinghamshire.

"We know about them and we are working our way through them systematically dismantling them, arresting people and bringing people to justice.

"So keep the information coming to us and we will keep busting those doors.”

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Anyone who has information about the production of drugs in their community should tell Nottinghamshire Police by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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