Police smashed two cannabis farms in the same street within days of each other. The raids took place in Muckley Corner, a village near Lichfield, either side of New Year.
Staffordshire Police was first alerted to a ‘burglary’ in Walsall Road in the village shortly before 6.45pm on New Year’s Eve. Officers found a cannabis farm worth almost £50,000 with 46 cannabis plants.
The plants were seized and the property secured. Police were called to the same road on Thursday, January 2, after British Gas raised the alarm.
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Officers found the remains of two grows inside the property. They also found a stolen Peugeot outside. One arrest was made.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “Detectives are investigating after two cannabis grows and a stolen car were found in Lichfield. We were called to a report of a burglary at an address on Walsall Road, Muckley Corner, at just before 6.45pm on Tuesday 31 December.
“Officers went inside the property and found 46 cannabis plants. The address has since been secured and the plants have been seized. Western Power were called to the scene to make the electrics safe.
“Then, just after 9.30am on Thursday, we received a report from British Gas of a suspected cannabis grow at another property on the same road. Officers found the remains of two grows inside and a stolen Peugeot car outside.”
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The statement continued: “A 58-year-old man, from the Lichfield area, was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and theft of a motor vehicle. He has been released under investigation while our enquiries continue.
“Anyone with any information should contact us on 101, or via Live Chat on our website, quoting incident number 521 of 31 December. To report anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Local officers continue to target drug supply in our communities every day across Staffordshire, and are working with members of the public and utility companies to detect grows.”
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Staffordshire Police said there were nine clues householders should be aware of that a cannabis farm could be operating at a property near them. They should watch out for a pungent smell – with he drug’s ‘familiar odour’. High levels of condensation on the windows, even in the warmer months, with the property turned into a ‘makeshift greenhouse’.
Watch for the windows being constantly covered or blacked out. Spot for a high number of deliveries or large items being taken in or out.
Strong and constant lighting day and night is a warning sign. As is a constant buzz of ventilation. There may be lots of power cables for lights, dehumidifiers and heaters.
At this time of year when there’s snow – has the home nearby noticeably not got any on its roof? With the heat given off by a cannabis farm, snow melts. And are there unsociable comings and goings? Suspected cannabis farms should be reported by calling 101.