Police in South Yorkshire uncovered a sophisticated drugs farm containing approximately £1.4million worth of cannabis, hidden within a former snooker hall in Rotherham.
The cultivation of over 1,400 cannabis plants was discovered after officers from Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) executed a Section 23 misuse of drugs warrant in Ferham.
The warrant was secured following reports from power companies that residents near to the building were experiencing frequent power cuts - a common sign that a property is dangerously and illegally bypassing electricity.
Those responsible for the cannabis grow had hidden the grow in the snooker hall by barricading all entrances with tables, radiators and other furniture, as well as bolting the doors shut and creating several fake walls within the building.
Police uncover million pound cannabis grow inside former Rotherham snooker hall
South Yorkshire Police
Officers gained access and the plants are in the process of being seized and will be destroyed.
Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector John Crapper said: "Cannabis is not a harmless drug – it is linked to organised crime and results in the exploitation of vulnerable people.
"This large-scale cultivation contained over £1million worth of drugs which would have likely funded organised criminality.
"It is important people are aware of the connection between illegal drugs and violent crime.
"This warrant is part of Operation Grow which is our ongoing work to tackle cannabis farms in Rotherham.
"We will carry on gathering intelligence and working with partners to tackle this issue."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Launched in 2021, Op Grow is the district’s dedicated approach to target and disrupt the production and supply of drugs to local communities, with the profits often used for funding organised crime.
Across 2024, officers executed 70 warrants all over the borough – leading to 17,846 cannabis plants being seized.
It is estimated that the total value of the plants thought to be over £17.8million.
Some of the signs that a property is being used for growing cannabis include: a heavy smell of cannabis, blacked out windows, excessive condensation on windows, visitors at unusual hours; only staying for a short period of time and signs of a property not being lived in.
If you are concerned about crime in your area, report it to police via 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also submit information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
