A LARGE quantity of drugs was seized from two properties in Pendle as police swooped in morning raids.

Police executed two warrants at properties in Wellhouse Street in Barnoldswick, where they discovered a ‘substantial’ amount of cannabis.

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Officers, who were tipped off by local residents, found cannabis farms which constituted of both mature plants and saplings.

The cultivation equipment was seized and dismantled by police.

A 57-year-old man is due to be interviewed on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.

A police spokesman said: “Officers attended two properties in Barnoldswick at 8am on Thursday and found a substantial amount of cannabis, buds and mature plants.

“Cultivation equipment was seized and was dismantled by police.

“No-one was in either property at the time, but we are looking to speak to 57-year-old man in relation to both farms.

“It was thanks to members of the community that we were able to find this illegal set up and seize the plants, taking them out of the hands of criminals.

“Cannabis can have lasting physical and mental health effects on users as well as having a negative effect on our communities and fuelling other crime and we are determined to tackle that.

“We need the public to continue to work with us to help us tackle drug crime by informing us of any suspicious activity.”

Barnoldswick councillor Marjorie Adams said: “The police have done a really good job. These cannabis farms need to be shut down, they cause anti-social behaviour which can affect everyone in the neighbourhood and can instil fear into our neighbourhoods.

“Residents near the house told me that their family and friends had commented on the strange smell. It isn’t pleasant for people to have to put up with that on a daily basis.

“I would urge anyone who has information about cannabis farms to contact the police on 101.”