Moment police officers uncover a massive £2million cannabis farm that stretches to the size of a football pitch after a PCSO noticed a suspicious smell in the air
- The farm was found on trading estate in Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
- It contained 3000 plants, each with an individual street value of around £660
- Martin Jobling was on patrol in the area and noticed a strong smell of cannabis
This is the moment police officers uncovered a massive £2million cannabis farm the size of a football pitch after a community support officer noticed a suspicious smell.
The huge drugs factory on a trading estate in Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, contained a staggering 3000 plants, each with an individual street value of around £660.
The farm was uncovered by police on Thursday after community support officer Martin Jobling was on patrol at the Valentine’s Funfair in the area and noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
Acting Inspector Warren Sturrock attended the scene to assist and together they were able to identify the warehouse in question and gain entry to the property.
The huge drugs factory on a trading estate in Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, contained a staggering 3000 plants, each with an individual street value of around £660
Rows of the plants were found at the site with lights hanging above them to help with the growth
Once inside they discovered a number of people in the factory and police say three foreign nationals were arrested on suspicion of producing a Class B drug with intent to supply.
A criminal investigation has now been launched by Northumbria Police that will be supported by Immigration Enforcement and other partner agencies.
Inspector Sturrock has praised the vigilance of his officers and said it showed community policing is at the heart of tackling organised crime.
He said: ‘This is a sophisticated drug supply operation that may have seen millions of pounds worth of cannabis supplied to dealers across our region.
‘This seizure will have put a huge dent in the pockets of the organised crime group responsible but we will not stop here and a criminal investigation is well underway.
‘We have arrested three suspected cannabis farmers at the factory and we are now working to establish who is involved in this sophisticated operation.
The farm was uncovered by police on Thursday after community support officer Martin Jobling was on patrol at the Valentine’s Funfair in the area and noticed a strong smell of cannabis. Pictured: police after they cut open the metal wall
A criminal investigation has now been launched by Northumbria Police that will be supported by Immigration Enforcement and other partner agencies
Once inside police discovered a number of people in the factory and they say three foreign nationals were arrested on suspicion of producing a Class B drug with intent to supply
‘This is clearly not a small cannabis farm to help give someone pain relief, this is an industrial-sized farm that is lining the pockets of serious criminals and will not be tolerated.
‘Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated approach to tackling serious and organised crime, we will continue to work with our partners and engage with communities and proactively target suspects in order to disrupt crime and protect the public.
‘I want to praise Martin who was on patrol at a local funfair and acted on his instinct when he smelt cannabis and knew something wasn’t quite right.
Inspector Sturrock has praised the vigilance of his officers and said it showed community policing is at the heart of tackling organised crime. Pictured: police outside the site
Police said: ‘This is a sophisticated drug supply operation that may have seen millions of pounds worth of cannabis supplied to dealers across our region’. Pictured: pipes in the building used for air ventilation
‘It shows that community policing has an important role to play in the fight against organised crime and that makes me very proud.
‘We will continue to patrol our local communities and engage with residents in our area. If you have information that could help us then pick up the phone and get in touch.’