Man arrested after cannabis factory located in Swindon

A cannabis factory was discovered by officers in Swindon yesterday (10/1) following intelligence received from the local community.

Officers from the South Central Neighbourhood Team have been following up on intelligence and conducting enquiries regarding a suspected cannabis farm in Wolsely Avenue.  

Yesterday, officers located a property which had been converted for the production of cannabis and a man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and taken to Gablecross custody where he remains for further questioning.

In order to destruct the set-up, which involved cannabis plants growing in four bedrooms and one other room in the property, officers worked closely with specialist officers from Operation Viscount from Avon & Somerset Police who specialise in the destruction of cannabis factories.

PC Samuel Whettam said: “Myself and other officers from the South Central Neighbourhood team have been following up on community intelligence and as a result we have attended the address and arrested a man in connection with the incident.

"Approximately 200 plants were located and have been destroyed along with the associated equipment, with the help of specialist officers. The electrics at the property had been modified to circumvent the meter and abstract energy. I am pleased that we have been able to stop these drugs reaching our streets and causing harm within the local community.

“While some people may feel that cannabis is not a dangerous drug, we want to remind everyone it is an illegal substance and we receive many complaints from our communities about the anti-social behaviour and criminality which is associated with drug dealing."

If you have information you wish to pass to police regarding drug activity in your area, either call 101 or report via an online form on the Wiltshire Police website.

Members of the public can also call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111