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Police warning after discovery of cannabis factory

POLICE officers seized about 250 plants, thought to be worth around £130 each, when they swooped on a cannabis factory.

The discovery was made after police were called to a house in Westlands Avenue, Sittingbourne, at about 4.30pm yesterday. Electricians were called to the property as there was concern over a bypassed electricity meter.

Sgt Russ Phillips said: "When cannabis is grown in a house like this, it is common for extra consumer units to be plugged into the electricity meter.

"This means that the electricity bypasses the metre and can be dangerous. The power needed to maintain a cannabis factory is extreme and much more electricity is needed than in a normal household.

"There are so many high-powered lights and fans that sometimes overheating occurs and a fire begins. This poses a risk to both the house and neighbouring properties as the factories are often unmanned and therefore no one is present to extinguish a fire should one break out.

"It is important that any person who has suspicions about a neighbouring property informs the police as the sooner we can close these factories, the sooner we can eliminate the danger they pose.’

Police are asking residents to be on the look-out for signs of possible illegal drugs activity, which include:

*Windows will be permanently covered from the inside

* Visits to the addresses will not match normal residents patterns

* The offenders may call daily or weekly but only for short periods

* Removal of quantities of black bags

* Compost bags and other gardening equipment in the garden but near the back door

* A pungent smell emanating from the property

* Sometimes a vent protruding from the roof tiles will be visible

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on telephone 01795 477055 or call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on telephone 0800 555 111.

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