A man has been charged after officers executed a misuse of drugs warrant at an address in Blackpool.
As a result of community intelligence officers from Blackpool’s Task Force and Neighbourhood Policing teams were joined by partners at Blackpool Council, who gained entry to a disused business premise in the resort.
Upon entering officers discovered approximately 800 cannabis plants, which were recovered at the scene. Evidence was also found that the electricity meter had been by-passed, causing significant disruption throughout the premise.
Electricity Northwest attended the address to make the premise safe due to the risk presented.
A 24-year-old-male, of no fixed address, was arrested and has since been charged with two offences – being concerned in the production of a controlled drug and abstracting electricity.
Inspector Jon Campbell-Smith of Blackpool Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Blackpool Police are committed to identifying and tackling large cannabis farms in the area which have strong links to both organised crime and modern slavery.
“The risks that modern slavery poses to people cannot be underestimated. This can range from people who are sometimes forced to maintain these farms, to the wider community whose lives are affected daily by this criminality.
“While I appreciate some may see cannabis cultivation as a minor offence, dismantling and targeting this activity will remain a priority for local officers. Some of the dangers are often hidden, such as the risk of fires and use of electrics.
“Working with intelligence from partners and the community, we will continue to act on information where the people of Blackpool are put at risk.”
Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire and delivering on Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden's Fighting Crime Plan priority of disrupting and dismantling organised crime.
It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.
If you have any concerns or information about crime happening in your area, you can report this to us by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, online via our website Report an Incident - Lancashire Constabulary - Report Online or anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111.
We would encourage you, if you haven’t done so already, to take our Lancashire Talking survey Lancashire Talking (stayintheknow.co.uk). You can also sign up to In the Know Home Page - Stay In The Know to keep updated with what’s going on in your area.