Cannabis farm arrest

A RUNCORN man was arrested as police swooped on a suspected cannabis farm with an estimated £172,000 annual yield in St Helens.

The 33-year-old was among three men detained after a warrant executed on Carnegie Close in Sutton shortly after 1pm on Thursday, February 8.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said officers found 43 cannabis plants.

Utility services attended to make the property safe along with the force’s cannabis dismantling team, who seized the crop growing equipment.

All three men were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production and released under investigation.

The other two suspects were aged 22 and 20 and from St Helens.

Police have warned that illegal cannabis farms are a fire hazard.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said signs that the drug is being grown include strange smells and sounds, unusual visiting patterns and times, gardening equipment and lighting being brought in, sealed or covered windows and permanently closed curtains, heat, and birds gathering on the roof in cold weather.

Sergeant Gary Sorrell, of Merseyside’s specialist cannabis dismantling team, said: “The dismantling of any cannabis farm is a positive step as they bring with them many associated risks.

“Cultivating cannabis, overloading the electricity sockets in the process and mixing with water is dangerous and can cause a fire.

“Living close to one of these farms means you are potentially in danger from the fires that they can cause, so report any of the signs and help us remove any such hazards from your street.

“Cannabis cultivation by criminal gangs can cause serious harm in our communities and we know that criminal groups involved in the cultivation of cannabis are usually involved in other serious organised crime, bringing fear and harm to those around them. We would ask that if you believe someone is using a property as a cannabis farm, please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up.” FREE ERYON DELIVORDE RS ALL OVER