420AM&PM
Well-Known Member
Police have been carrying out drugs raids as part of a crackdown on cannabis factories.
Criminal gangs see the illegal businesses as low risk operations which can return high profits.
Police said growing 200 plants over three months can rake in as much as £30,000.
Many factories are found in ordinary-looking houses in suburban streets.
Around 20 forces across England and Wales are involved in the crackdown which was launched earlier this week.
Alan Gibson of the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Cannabis cultivation is an increasing problem which must be nipped in the bud.
"This operation will see police closing cannabis factories across the country, arresting those concerned and using the Proceeds of Crime Act to attack the criminal profits being made.
"Cannabis cultivation is seen by criminals as a low risk, high profit industry, but this operation will send out a clear message that cannabis production is a serious offence and that offenders will be brought to justice.
"Not only is the money from cannabis cultivation ploughed back into serious crime, but the bypassing of the electricity needed to run the factories causes risk of fire and electrocution and they have already caused several devastating fires."
As part of the operation, police are expected to ask the public to look out for telltale signs of cannabis factories being run from properties in their neighbourhood.
These include the windows of a property being permanently covered, gardening equipment left outside or a pungent smell emanating from inside.
Newshawk: 420AM&PM - 420 Magazine
Source: ITV NEWS (UK)
Pubdate: September 29, 2006
Copyright: © ITV Network Limited. All rights reserved.
Contact: ITV - Contact Us
Website: ITV - Homepage
Criminal gangs see the illegal businesses as low risk operations which can return high profits.
Police said growing 200 plants over three months can rake in as much as £30,000.
Many factories are found in ordinary-looking houses in suburban streets.
Around 20 forces across England and Wales are involved in the crackdown which was launched earlier this week.
Alan Gibson of the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Cannabis cultivation is an increasing problem which must be nipped in the bud.
"This operation will see police closing cannabis factories across the country, arresting those concerned and using the Proceeds of Crime Act to attack the criminal profits being made.
"Cannabis cultivation is seen by criminals as a low risk, high profit industry, but this operation will send out a clear message that cannabis production is a serious offence and that offenders will be brought to justice.
"Not only is the money from cannabis cultivation ploughed back into serious crime, but the bypassing of the electricity needed to run the factories causes risk of fire and electrocution and they have already caused several devastating fires."
As part of the operation, police are expected to ask the public to look out for telltale signs of cannabis factories being run from properties in their neighbourhood.
These include the windows of a property being permanently covered, gardening equipment left outside or a pungent smell emanating from inside.
Newshawk: 420AM&PM - 420 Magazine
Source: ITV NEWS (UK)
Pubdate: September 29, 2006
Copyright: © ITV Network Limited. All rights reserved.
Contact: ITV - Contact Us
Website: ITV - Homepage
