Guernsey Press

Police release video footage of raid on large cannabis factory in city centre

Police executed a search warrant in the early hours of Monday at the building in Winchester city centre and arrested a 54-year-old man.

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Police have released video footage of a raid on a large cannabis factory in the middle of Winchester city centre.

Officers executed a search warrant in the early hours of Monday at the building in Upper Brook Street in the Hampshire city and arrested a 54-year-old man.

“A scene remains in place while officers determine the exact scale of the production and number of plants. The plants will be seized and destroyed.

“As part of our inquiries, a 54-year-old man from Winchester has been arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B.

“He remains in custody while our inquiries continue.”

Winchester cannabis factory
Police of the large cannabis factory (Hampshire Police/PA)

“The reason why we take this kind of thing so seriously is because any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm.

“Large-scale operations are often run by organised crime groups, who are often connected to very serious violence.

Winchester cannabis factory
Police found the plants growing in the middle of Winchester city centre (Hampshire Police/PA)

“We encourage people to please continue to report suspicious behaviour and suspected drug dealing in your area to police, as the information you provide helps us develop the bigger picture that leads us to take action and remove drugs from the streets.

“Finally, we are very aware that our actions took place in a busy city centre. We have tried to minimise disruption as much as possible, and we would like to thank the local community for their patience.”

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