Exclusive: Drugs officers raid Thornton Heath cannabis factory

1:10pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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Acting on a tip-off South Norwood's drug squad busted a cannabis factory in Thornton Heath and discovered more than 1,000 plants growing in four specially equipped rooms.

During a swift morning raid on Tuesday, police officers burst into the four bedroom semi and unearthed an industrial scale cannabis growing operation.

“The engineer told us it was one of the most dangerous factories that he had ever seen.”

Police spokesman

The plants, with a street value of more than £500,000, had been growing hidden from neighbours for almost two months and were nearing the stage when they could be cut, packaged and sold.

Every bedroom in the house was being used to grow the marijuana and each room was in a different stage of growth, the attic-space was also being used to dry the crops.

A South Norwood intelligence unit spokesman said: "This grow was on a massive scale and was more than likely part of an organised crime ring. The house was packed out with plants and was nearing the point when one of the rooms would have been harvested and used again."

Electricity company engineers had to be called after it was discovered that those responsible for the factory had bypassed the house's meter and tapped into the street mains.

The spokesman added: "The engineer told us it was one of the most dangerous factories that he had ever seen."

Officers had to wait outside until the mains had been shut down.

An officer on the raid said: "Sometimes they booby trap the house by wiring up door knobs and handles. More often than not it isn't for us but for people who may want to rob the place."

Nicola Ward, 32, who lives in a neighbouring property, said: "I had no idea anything like this was going on, I actually thought the property was empty. I hadn't seen anyone going in or out for the past six months, so it's a total surprise."

No arrests were made but police are now searching for the culprits.