A CANNABIS farm with an estimated street value of £410,000 has been recovered by police after a drugs raid in Hanbury, near Droitwich on Wednesday morning (February 7).
Nearly 500 plants were discovered at the site together with large-scale electrical, lighting and cultivation systems linked to the production of cannabis following the raid of a large farm building on The Saltway.
Officers from South Worcestershire Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT), were supported by the force’s Task Force and Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team during the warrant.
There was also further evidence at the scene of a grow that had already been cropped.
Ervin Aliaj, 24 and Ndoj Ardit, 22, of no fixed addresses, were charged with the production of cannabis (class B drug) and abstracting electricity on Thursday (February 8).
They were due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (February 8).
The raid comes after intelligence was developed around the location following concerns about drugs and suspicious activity in the area.
Police sergeant Shaun Blackshaw, of the NCFT, said: “This successful warrant today shows we will not tolerate criminal activity within our community and will continue to act on information given to us about drugs.
“Cannabis farms like to this are often linked to serious and organised crime gangs, the drugs they sell have a negative impact on our communities and can lead to other localised criminality.
“The cultivation of these crops can also lead to the harm and exploitation of vulnerable people.”
West Mercia Police have asked the local community to continue reporting any signs of criminal activity in the area.
The warrant forms part of the police’s Operation Target, which sees them work closely with other forces and partners to tackle serious and organised crime and the harm it causes.
Visit www.westmercia.police.uk to report.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or call 0800 555 111.
