ALEX SCAPENS

POLICE have discovered 37 cannabis farms in Stockport in the last year – with many linked to organised crime groups.

Officers say the battle against drug suppliers, who often target the borough’s most vulnerable, is among their top priorities.

The latest was found in a raid at an address on Garners Lane, Adswood, when 25 plants suspected to be cannabis were seized.

A man was arrested, charged with production of the class B drug and appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.

Another police raid in Bramhall saw a 19-yearold man arrested on suspicion of cannabis possession with intent to supply.

He was bailed until July 3 pending further enquiries after 27 snap bags each believed to contain £10 worth of the drug were seized.

Warrants were executed at both addresses following information from the public.

Inspector Neil Cook, from Stockport’s west neighbourhood police team, said: “We have uncovered quite a few cannabis farms.

“The links we have found are to organised crime groups who generally prey on vulnerable people, that it why it is a priority for us.

“The criminals fund their lifestyle through supplying drugs, which they need to produce somewhere and these are the places we target to disrupt their activity and where possible bring them to justice.”