Cannabis factory bust after tip-off

A huge, ‘sophisticated’ cannabis factory has been found growing in an abandoned property in Bath.

Around 1,000 suspected cannabis plants (inset) were discovered, Avon and Somerset Police has said, and the grow is estimated to have a street value of around

£1 million.

Officers received a tip-off about the grow while searching for a missing person in the city. They were approached by a member of the public who saw people entering and exiting an abandoned property along Windsor Bridge Road. Officers attended and reported a strong cannabis smell coming from the building.

A drone was flown over the area and showed signs of a grow. Avon and Somerset Police officers applied for a drugs warrant which was carried out in the early hours of last Thursday, November 23.

More than 1,000 suspected cannabis plants were discovered, with a sophisticated cultivation set-up.

Inspector Ziyad Asfour said: “This was a great piece of proactive policing from our patrol team. We would like to thank the member of the public for approaching us with their concerns and this discovery has prevented further harm to the community of Bath by keeping drugs off the streets.

“It is not just a crime growing the cannabis and selling it but it is the other associated crimes linked with drugs. Anti-social behaviour, theft, assault, and many more are just a few incidents we see associated with drugs. We will carry out a full investigation in an effort to identify those people involved.”

Avon and Somerset Police are now appealing for information about the grow in Windsor Bridge Road. Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to call the force on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5223286254.

Bath Commander CI Scott Hill said: “We will be relentless in tackling drug supply within Bath and rely on the support of the public to achieve these aims.”