Police in Paignton used a battering ram to break into a property and uncovered a sophisticated cannabis growing operation that could have yielded more than £100,000 on the street.
The neighbourhood team executed the Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at the address in Torquay Road, opposite Victoria Park, shortly after 8am on Tuesday August 25. Inside, they found several rooms given over to the growing and harvesting of cannabis. In total, police seized 161 plants, many of which had already been harvested and were being dried in preparation for packaging and sale.
Paignton and Brixham Sector Inspector Pete Giesens said: "Whilst the recent heatwaves have left much of Paignton dry and yellow, our officers managed to locate a large patch of greenery during the execution of a Misuse of Drugs Act Warrant. Cannabis cultivation fuels wider criminal activity, exploiting vulnerable people and causing significant harm to individuals, families and communities. We will continue to take action against all of those involved."
Insp Giesen said initial estimates suggested that the cannabis being grown may have yielded a street value of up to £135,000 following assessment by a Drugs Liaison Officer. A 39-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis. He was interviewed and has since been bailed to a later date bail whilst enquiries continue.
Paignton Police Raid Cannabis Factory, Seize 161 Plants