Cannabis discovered in drugs raid

A drugs raid was carried out at a house in Smith's Wood. (s)

A DRUGS raid has been carried out at a house in Smith's Wood.

Officers from West Midlands Police Drugs Investigation Team discovered two rooms full of cannabis plants at the property on Woodpecker Grove.

They were acting on information from members of the public who were concerned the drug was being grown at the house.

DI Tom Chisholm, from the Drugs Investigation Team, said: "We were responding to community concerns that the premises was being used to produce cannabis.

"Officers forced entry into the premises and discovered a substantial cannabis farm operation in two rooms of the address.

"We are continuing to conduct enquiries to trace the occupant of the premises."

West Midlands Police currently deal with around 10 large scale cannabis farms each week and launched the Drugs Investigation Team to respond to the threat.

DI Chisholm is calling on landlords to be aware of what their tenants are doing as they have found 95 per cent of cannabis factories are set up in private rented accommodation.

He said: "Cannabis is often considered to be a soft, low risk drug.

"We have found that cannabis production is now a standard activity of most organised crime groups.

"It is used to generate cash to purchase class A drugs and firearms.

"I would remind anyone tempted to start producing cannabis that it carries a 14 year prison sentence as well as the likely confiscation of any criminal assets."

Anyone with information concerning cannabis factories can contact the Drugs Investigation Team on 0345 113500 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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