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On Monday, April 28, officers attended an address on Sundale Avenue in Prescot, which had all the windows boarded up apart from one, and the window blind was moving “aggressively” inside despite there being no wind outside.
After gaining entry, officers discovered around 200 cannabis plants in various stages of growth in four rooms along with electric fans and growing equipment.
A 26-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, abstract electricity, acquire/use/possess criminal property, and theft of motor vehicle. He is still in police custody, while enquiries are ongoing.
The premises was made safe by Merseyside Police’s Cannabis Dismantling Team. Scottish Power attended to make the electrics safe after the meter was tampered with.
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Police noticed a blind moving inside the property (Image: Merseyside Police) Inspector for Knowsley Targeted Policing, Brian Loughran said: “This arrest is part of our proactive work to ensure we take offenders supplying drugs off our streets.
“The dangers posed by cannabis farms and extracting electricity illegally in this manner poses a serious dangerous risk of fire and flooding to residents living nearby, which puts lives at risk, especially when criminals tinker with the wiring and overload plugs. It is vital that we find cannabis farms as quickly as possible.
“Nobody wants to live close to a potential death-traps such as this, and it is often thanks to people living in the areas affected who tell us about their suspicions, and the proactivity of our officers, that we are able to take action.
“Those involved in organised crime and drug supply have no thought for anyone other than themselves, their criminal intent and greed. This criminal activity is hugely damaging to our communities, which often involves intimidation, violence and creating fear in the neighbourhood.
“If you spot any signs that cannabis is being grown near where you live and work please let us know so that we can continue to take action. Any information helps residents and the work we do, so make us aware and we will investigate.”
A video in which Matt Brown, head of Merseyside Police’s Cannabis Dismantling Team explains how you can spot signs of cannabis being grown near where you live can be found here.
Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:
Strange smells and sounds
Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times
Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting
Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed
Heat from an adjoining property
Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather
Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more suspicious
Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
“}]] A MAN has been arrested after a cannabis farm was discovered at a house in Prescot. Read More
