Pubdate: Thu, 26 Oct 2006
Source: Western Mail (UK)
Copyright: Trinity Mirror Plc 2006
Contact: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/letters/
Website: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2598
Author: Robin Turner

POLICE RAID HOMES IN 'SKUNKWEED' CRACKDOWN

- --- THE suburban facade which hides an illegal drugs manufacturing 
industry has been exposed by a police clampdown.

South Wales Police are among the forces involved in a nationwide 
operation on cannabis plantations in homes over the next fortnight. 
Police say neighbours in respectable neighbourhoods are often shocked 
to find out they are living next door to a drugs factory.

A spokesman said, "They are not confined to run-down areas, they can 
be in well-heeled estates."

Police in South Wales have already raided a number of cannabis 
plantations hidden in houses this year.

In one case, a drugs gang had appointed a 16-year-old boy as 
"caretaker" of a palatial four-bedroom house in Gorseinon, Swansea. 
Inside, police found 77 cannabis plants in the master bedroom, 71 in 
another bedroom, 41 in another room and nine plants each over 10ft 
tall downstairs.

The boy was given a 12-month referral order at Swansea Youth Court.

In neighbouring Neath, a three bedroom semi-detached area in a "nice 
area" was found to contain 500 cannabis plants. Police who raided the 
house found insulating foil on the walls, ventilation pipes hanging 
from the ceiling and a series of electric fans to control temperature.

In Wychtree Street, Morriston, suspicious neighbours led to a house 
being raided and police found a hi-tech hydroponic system growing 
cannabis plants worth UKP14,000.

A 42-year-old woman will be sentenced for her part in the cannabis 
factory next month.

Across England and Wales, 17 police forces are taking part in the 
operation which began yesterday.

Operation Keymer will focus on properties being used to produce large 
quantities of "skunkweed", a potent and potentially dangerous form of 
cannabis. Skunk contains far higher quantities of the chemical THC 
than "herbal" or "resin" cannabis making skunk users considerably 
more vulnerable to its negative effects.

A police spokesman added,"Not only is the money made 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.

"Members of the public can assist the police in this operation by 
looking out for the tell-tale signs of cannabis cultivation on their 
street. Should a member of the public grow suspicious of a property, 
they should not approach the property, but call the police first."

Currently around 60% of cannabis found in the UK is "skunk" that is 
mainly grown in the UK rather than being imported. This is a large 
increase on the quantities found up until 2004.

In the mid-90s only 10% of cannabis in the UK was skunk, at most.

Detective Inspector Neil Hutchison, of the Metropolitan Police, said 
cannabis production was a serious crime with damaging consequences.

"Firstly, skunk is very strong," he said. "There is medical evidence 
to suggest that it can be damaging to mental health.

"Secondly, it is linked to organised criminality and if organised 
criminals are making large amounts of money that is bad for 
everybody, not least because they often invest it in other forms of 
criminality, ie Class A drugs.

"Thirdly, it is linked to people trafficking, because a lot of people 
who grow the cannabis are illegal immigrants who are brought into 
this country to do that.

"Fourthly, it is a public safety hazard. They tap into the 
electricity cable prior to it getting to the meter. The properties 
are festooned with wires and electrical boxes. They are a hazard, 
they cause fires.

"Cannabis production is a serious crime. The reduction of the 
classification of possession (from B to C) does not in any way affect 
how seriously we take the cultivation of the drug."

Allan Gibson, the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on 
cannabis cultivation, said the "increasing problem must be nipped in the bud".
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MAP posted-by: Elaine