Police find forest of cannabis growing in south-west London
‘Criminals may have chosen the site because the foul smell from the sewage works would mask the aroma of the plants’
POLICE have discovered a cannabis “forest” larger than a football pitch that was hidden in suburban wasteland.
Officers were alerted by a member of the public who spotted the plantation of class-B drugs on disused private land close to Kingston-upon-Thames, southwest London.
Images posted by police showed dozens of the mature marijuana plants, some as tall as the responding officers. It is thought that there may have been as many as 150 plants on the site.
The area is concealed from view by a river, a railway line and a large water treatment works.
It appears that criminals may have chosen the site not only for its inaccessibility but also for the foul smell of the sewage works, which would help to mask the strong aroma of the plants.
PC Sarah Henderson, of Kingston Police, said: “The area these plants were growing on was the size of a football pitch. It looked like a small forest of Christmas trees and was complete with a gazebo.
“Whoever set this up used a really remote spot, the only way to get there was a 20-minute walk through wasteland. But all their time, trouble and gardening skills will go unrewarded, as the whole lot will now be destroyed by police.”
Detectives are now searching for those responsible for the plantation.
There have been no arrests in connection with the discovery.
Narinder Singh, 53, a cook at the nearby Gurdwara Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji temple, said: “I had not heard about it before, but my boss was telling me that they had information about something in this area.”
Mr Singh, who is also responsible for security at the temple, added: “I think it’s over by the water because I’ve not seen it here.”
Matt Leary, 30, who works nearby, said: “I am very surprised. We are very much tucked away in the suburbs.
“I haven’t been aware of other serious crime in the area. It could be linked to gang problems and that’s why it is a concern.”
Yesterday’s find is just the latest of a spate of cannabis plantations found located close to sewerage works, which mask the smell of the plants.
On Sep 3 police raided the Trowbridge sewage works in Wiltshire, where the natural smell of water treatment had helped to conceal the strong scent of cannabis growing on the site.
More than 80 plants, some 5ft tall, were found when police seized the crop. Detectives believe that it had been growing unhindered all summer.
In August 2014, cannabis was discovered growing at the Budds Farm treatment plant in Havant, Hants.
The farm was only discovered when staff from Southern Water, who run the site, discovered the bushes growing in a remote and disused area after a man who claimed to be lost was caught attempting to reach them.
Cannabis farms are typically found when police receive tip-offs from members of the public or are alerted by electricity companies to higher than usual energy consumption, which is required to power specialist growing lamps.