Two Nelson 'drugs factories' uncovered on same day

2:29pm Sunday 4th May 2008

POLICE discovered two drugs factories' - including one of the largest seen in East Lancashire - on the same day.

Officers raided the former Proctor and Proctor accountancy practice in Carr Road, Nelson, on Friday afternoon, after being informed that a strong cannabis smell was coming from the premises earlier in the day.

Following extensive checks of the property, the Nelson neighbourhood policing team seized around 1,000 plants and dismantled cannabis growing equipment worth an estimated £50,000.

Sergeant Keith Beckley said an 18-year-old Vietnamese national was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity.

Further investigations have revealed that up to £17,000 worth of electricity may have been illegally obtained in relation to the property.

A property in Hargreave Street was investigated by police later that day, as a result of the initial arrest.

Police entered the end-terrace house and said they discovered a smaller scale operation in four rooms of the house.

Neighbour Jean Byrne said: "I have seen some people coming and going from the property but it has all been quiet.

"We know that it is a rented house and used to know the woman who lived there but it was empty for quite a bit."

Sgt Beckley said: "Local landlords should be aware that if they have larger properties and are renting them out to pay particular attention in case they are being used for such activities."

He said landlords could contact him on 01282 472604 if they had any concerns about any properties they were involved with or the Crimest-oppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

The raids are the latest in a string of homegrown cannabis farms uncovered in Nelson and Burnley.

Firefighters uncovered an alleged cannabis farm in Colne Road, Burnley, after an electrical blaze was reported to them in March.

A £200,000 haul of more than 1,200 plants was also recovered from the Old Derby pub, Scotland Road, in January.

The single largest find in East Lancashire is thought to have been when Pennine police division's organised crime squad raided a property in Mary Street, Burnley, last year, and uncovered a factory growing nearly 1,300 plants.

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