£500,000 Cannabis Cultivation Discovered in Disused Bank Building

A substantial cannabis cultivation operation, with plants estimated to be worth nearly £500,000, was uncovered within a former bank building in Kidderminster. Law enforcement officers conducted a raid on the disused Royal Bank of Scotland premises on Worcester Street during the early hours of Monday. This action followed reports from individuals who detected the smell of cannabis emanating from inside the property. Authorities discovered over 650 plants, and two men, both in their 30s, were apprehended on suspicion of cannabis production. West Mercia Police characterized the cultivation site as a “sophisticated operation,” noting its use of specialized lighting and ventilation systems designed to maximize plant growth. Detective Sergeant Kirsty Hill stated that the discovery of the farm resulted in a “significant quantity” of cannabis being removed from circulation. She further elaborated, “These grows are often linked to serious and organised crime groups, human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people, and can present significant fire safety risks to the people in the surrounding area.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.