Police Raid Cannabis Production Facility Linked to Organized Crime

Law enforcement officials have conducted a raid on a “drugs factory” that was connected to organized crime and human trafficking, and was estimated to be producing over £250,000 worth of cannabis. According to South Yorkshire Police, personnel gained entry to a commercial property situated in Thorne on 22 November. Inside, they discovered 235 cannabis plants along with a drying room holding approximately £20,000 worth of the illicit substance. A male individual observed attempting to flee via the roof was apprehended and subsequently charged with the production of a controlled Class B drug. This occurred after officers utilized a chainsaw to breach two metal roller shutters. Inspector Alison Carr of the Doncaster East Neighbourhood Policing Team stated that the operation had connections to organized crime groups, describing them as entities “who have absolutely no place in our society”. She further commented: “They are responsible for spreading fear, violence and terror in our communities, and by disrupting their supply of drugs, which funds further criminal activities, we can limit their influence and dismantle their operations.” Inspector Carr added: “These cannabis cultivations are also linked to modern slavery, as they are known to exploit vulnerable people who are forced to commit to looking after these grows.” She concluded by emphasizing: “That is another reason why we need people to keep reporting any suspicions they have around cannabis grows to police so we can act and deliver justice.” The facility itself was partitioned into eight cultivation rooms distributed across two levels, featuring residential accommodations that contained a single bed, toiletries, a stove, and a fully stocked refrigerator. Listeners can access highlights from South Yorkshire via BBC Sounds, catch the latest episode of Look North, or submit story ideas. This report is subject to Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.