Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2005
Source: Bexley Times (UK)
Copyright:  2005 Archant Regional
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Website: http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

POLICE RAID ON DRUGS FACTORY

Over a thousand cannabis plants have been found in flats at addresses
across Greenwich.

After receiving special intelligence Greenwich Police raided 23 houses
as part of Operation Damson, to foil the dramatic increase of cannabis
factories across London.

A team of 130 officers joined members of EDF energy to take possession
of premises suspected to contain the plants, arrest anyone thought to
be involved, check the premises for safety and hand the properties
back into the care of their letting agents.

Chief Superintendent Peter Lowton held a briefing before the
operation.

He said: "Since last August, 53 factories have been disrupted across
Greenwich and although Greenwich does not currently fit the
demographics of a high Class A drug use area, it does have the potential.

"The escalation in the quantity of cannabis available across the
borough could attract more serious drug abuse and its associated problems.

"It could attract criminals from other areas.

"Research has shown the common method of obtaining properties for use
as cannabis factories is for an individual to rent the properties
through a private letting agency.

"Once the properties have been let the locks are then changed and work
done to bypass the electricity meter and convert the premises into a
factory.

"Once in use, the factory can produce a harvest every three months and
after the initial outlay for the premises and equipment, a profit will
be generated after approximately three harvests.

"As well as the social issues associated with illegal drug supply,
there are significant public health and safety concerns around the
cultivation and distribution of cannabis."

At 8am police stormed a property in Chestnut Rise, Plumstead, to be
confronted by a fully operational cannabis factory harbouring nearly
100 plants.

The living room, bedrooms and loft had been used to grow the plants
which were all in plant pots in soil with lights above them and
hundreds of electricity cables surrounding them.

A spokesman for EDF energy who accompanied police on the raid to
ensure the safety of the property said: "The amount of electricity
needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week in a factory like this is
immense.

"There is probably around A?10,000 worth of wiring and electricity
here.

"Electrical wiring is often done haphazardly by unskilled people who
have only basic knowledge of electrical work and grounding is rarely
done properly meaning live wires are exposed and multiple electrical
transformers are often on relay switches to provide uninterrupted power.

"Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are released
into the air and can be a hazard not only for those working or living
in the house, but also for neighbours.

"That's not to mention that over 100 fires are caused each year in
London by the bad electrical work carried out in these cannabis factories."

Intelligence leading to the closure of the factories across the
borough came from a number of sources, the main one being the Safer
Neighbourhood teams patrolling the area.

In addition to the cannabis factories, a number of DVDs were found in
two premises, suggesting an associated counterfeit activity.

A total of 13 people were arrested, two on suspicion of immigration
offences and 11 in connection with the cultivation of cannabis.

One sick dog was found and given in to the protection of the RSPCA,
and three children aged ten, four and one were found unattended and
taken into Police protection.

In all premises visited there was evidence of illegal abstraction of
electricity.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin