�700k cannabis plants seized in factory bust near 2012 Olympics
POLICE have seized �700,000 of cannabis plants in a raid on a warehouse factory’ just a few hundred yards from the 2012 Olympics stadium site in East London. They recovered a haul of 1,400 semi-mature plants being grown under artificial light
EXCLUSIVE By Hannah Roberts Picture: Joe Lord
POLICE have seized �700,000 of cannabis plants in a raid on a warehouse factory’ just a few hundred yards from the 2012 Olympics stadium site in East London.
They recovered a haul of 1,400 semi-mature plants being grown under artificial light in the makeshift factory.
Officers forced entry to the 100sq ft warehouse in Old Ford, by Victoria Park, after a tip off from builders working next door. The plants were removed this-afternoon by forensics.
Cannabis leaves were spotted floating on a nearby canal by the River Lea, within sight of the Olympics Stadium.
Officers on patrol had seen the leaves along the Hertford Union Cut that connects the Lea to the Regent’s Canal.
The seizure is the latest in a series of three swoops in two weeks within a mile, totalling �1 million.
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Investigators were led to the warehouse in Roach Road on the banks of the Lea after interviewing workers on the industrial estate.
“Builders alerted us to very warm cables feeding the property,” Pol Sgt Tony Mohan told the East London Advertiser.
“We contacted EDF who found the electricity meter had been illegally bypassed. Up to �2,000 of electricity was being siphoned off every day.”
A large heat source was coming from the premises, EDF engineers found.
Officers could smell the cannabis from the street. The intensive conditions with artificial light create stronger skunk’ cannabis, police said.
The 2ft plants were halfway to harvest’ and would have reached maturity at eight or 12 weeks at 3ft.
Police seized equipment including light and heating timers, fans and air-conditioning units worth �100,000. There were signs that a woman was living there. A room contained a double bed, food, pots and pans and women’s clothing.
