Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2008
Source: Bournemouth Daily Echo, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group
Contact:  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4484
Author: Julie Magee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

BOOBY TRAP RISK FOR UNWARY LANDLORDS

UNSUSPECTING landlords could be dicing with death if they turn up 
unexpectedly at their own properties to discover they have been 
converted into cannabis factories.

That's the chilling warning from a Dorset-based member of the 
National Landlords Association, amid fears that makeshift cannabis 
factories' could be booby-trapped to deter rival criminal gangs.

Two cannabis factories found at rented properties in Southampton last 
year were booby-trapped.

In other parts of the country drug dealers have also wired up the 
mains electricity to doors and windows to keep rival gangs out and 
protect their lucrative plants from being seized.

So far none of the properties raided by Dorset police have been booby-trapped.

But Bournemouth and Poole landlord Richard Price, the NLA's director 
of operations, told the Daily Echo: "It is potentially very 
dangerous; just one touch of a door knob could see a landlord electrocuted.

"Our advice is that if landlords are suspicious about what their 
properties are being used for they should speak to neighbours and 
call the police."

Following a spate of cannabis factory raids across Bournemouth and 
Poole, Mr Price said: "Booby-trapping properties is a rare occurrence 
but landlords need to be aware of the risks.

"Prevention is better than cure; landlords should carry out proper 
reference checks and insist on at least two forms of ID with a photograph.

"Avoid tenants who want to pay up front in cash for six months. That 
should set alarm bells ringing. Don't be fooled by a wad of notes and 
a flash car. "

For safety, Dorset police officers are always accompanied by Southern 
Electric engineers when they carry out raids at cannabis factories.

l The NLA can be contacted on 0207 840 8900. Checks on potential 
tenants can be carried out on-line on landlords.org.uk
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom