A SOPHISTICATED grow operation – home to around 100 cannabis plants – has been found and dismantled.

A police spokesman said that the electrical supply to the property on Sands Road in Rishton was so over-passed, that an engineer had commented it would only have been a ‘matter of days’ before a serious fire occurred at the address.

The plants, of which there were around 100, were ready for harvesting and cultivation.

Sgt Nigel Hindle from the NHPT said” These cannabis factories present a real threat to the local communities.

“They fund the operations of organised crime groups, their associated violence and the trafficking of other drugs within the community including exploiting children as part of their criminal enterprise.

“They also represent a serious fire risk as has been shown in this instance and we were fortunate to have located and prevented damage to the property or worse harm to any persons.”

The plants and equipment were removed, the property secured and made safe and lines of enquiry are currently being followed up on.

If you have any information that can assist police you can contact crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call Lancashire Constabulary direct on 101 or contact the Hyndburn Neighbourhood Policing Team at Hyndburn.NPT@Lancashire.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively sign up to Lancashire Talking to raise concerns in your local area that can be directly actioned by your local policing team