Bradford on Avon farm owner shocked by cannabis factory

1:00pm Sunday 30th September 2012 in News By Chris Melvin

PCSO Andrew Maclachlan inspects the cannabis plants PCSO Andrew Maclachlan inspects the cannabis plants

Police have raided a farm near Bradford on Avon and confiscated an estimated 250 cannabis plants, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Eight officers from the Dedicated Crime Team and Bradford on Avon Neigh-bourhood Policing Team raided Leigh House Farm Liveries, off Leigh Road West, at about 1pm on Wednesday.

Officers found two large shipping containers, housing approximately 250 plants in various stages of growth, some of them being prepared for harvesting.

The plants could produce a yield worth a street value of £250,000 to £300,000.

A police spokesman said: “We’ve executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act and found two large shipping containers full of suspected cannabis plants.

“The plants are in various stages of growth, from babies to mature plants. Some are being dried out.

“We estimate there are 250 plants, which are capable of a yield per year of £250,000 to £300,000.

“At the moment, there is no indication that the people who run the premises are involved. The owner is speaking to us and helping us with our enquiries. He is not a suspect.

“No arrests have been made at the moment. We are very keen to speak to the people who rent the units and they will form part of our enquiries.

“We treat cannabis seriously and we will actively target anyone we believe to be cultivating and supplying drugs.”

Nick Hillier, who owns and runs Leigh House Farm Liveries, said: “I feel shocked. I’m just shocked at what they’ve found.

“We run an honest business here, supplying the equine market, and we’re as shocked as everyone else.”

In January, police seized £225,000 worth of cannabis from six buildings at Bradford Leigh Farm, about half a mile down the road.

At this point, police say they do not know if the two cannabis factories are linked.

Anyone with information can call the Dedicated Crime Team on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.

Comments (4)

4:09pm Sun 30 Sep 12

SuperSilverSourDiesel says...

Illegal cannabis grows will continue to flourish as long as the government disallow legal regulation. When a country regulates cannabis, drug use goes down along with associated crime, and age of first use goes up. Cannabis being against the law has nothing to do with harm reduction, scientific evidence, expert advice or to see dealers put out of business long term. Its all about money, greed, vested interest and personal prejudices. That is what our drugs policy is based on.
Illegal cannabis grows will continue to flourish as long as the government disallow legal regulation. When a country regulates cannabis, drug use goes down along with associated crime, and age of first use goes up. Cannabis being against the law has nothing to do with harm reduction, scientific evidence, expert advice or to see dealers put out of business long term. Its all about money, greed, vested interest and personal prejudices. That is what our drugs policy is based on. SuperSilverSourDiesel

3:52pm Mon 1 Oct 12

Joel Dalais says...

I'm a bit confused.. They found a FACTORY on a farm site? What were they constructing in this FACTORY?

So, our new genre of journalism would refer to an Apple orchard as a factory? or the blackberries that grow in my local park as a FACTORY?

Somewhere journalism lost it's sense of realism and it's hold of the English language.

Joel Dalais
Criminologist
CLEAR Media
I'm a bit confused.. They found a FACTORY on a farm site? What were they constructing in this FACTORY? So, our new genre of journalism would refer to an Apple orchard as a factory? or the blackberries that grow in my local park as a FACTORY? Somewhere journalism lost it's sense of realism and it's hold of the English language. Joel Dalais Criminologist CLEAR Media Joel Dalais

5:31pm Mon 1 Oct 12

Mrs Donnyfly says...

Could someone please explain to me what a Dedicated Crime Team is?
Could someone please explain to me what a Dedicated Crime Team is? Mrs Donnyfly

7:52pm Thu 4 Oct 12

Adam Hall says...

A "Dedicated Crime Team" is a group of men and women, (Usually serving Police Officers) who dedicate themselves to tackling Crimes. They are usually crimes like Public drinking, Shoplifting, or Shed Robberies. They are the token PC's that the public see dealing with all the petty, messy, unpopular and time consuming call outs. While the more ambitious Scuffers like to wait for a nice high profile Hatecrime or a Rape. They're supposedly more versatile. but much less dedicated than the DCT.
A "Dedicated Crime Team" is a group of men and women, (Usually serving Police Officers) who dedicate themselves to tackling Crimes. They are usually crimes like Public drinking, Shoplifting, or Shed Robberies. They are the token PC's that the public see dealing with all the petty, messy, unpopular and time consuming call outs. While the more ambitious Scuffers like to wait for a nice high profile Hatecrime or a Rape. They're supposedly more versatile. but much less dedicated than the DCT. Adam Hall

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