Cannabis farm holding around 500 plants found near Harrogate
A warrant was carried out by North Yorkshire Police officers over the weekend
Police discovered a cannabis farm containing around 500 plants 'at various stages of growth' over the Bank Holiday weekend.
On Sunday morning (May 28), officers carries out a warrant at a disused pub in Kirby Overblow, near Harrogate under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Inside the pub, the police discovered a large cannabis production farm, containing hundreds of the plants, which were then recovered by the force - along with drug production equipment too.
The scene was then examined by the police for investigations - which are ongoing.
No arrests have yet been made by the force.
North Yorkshire Police say they're 'continuously' tackling ‘cannabis farms’, which are sophisticated set-ups in houses or other properties used by organised crime gangs to produce several crops of cannabis over time.
A spokesperson said: "Cannabis production is extremely harmful to communities, and often used to fund criminal gangs involved in human trafficking, sexual exploitation and the distribution of other drugs including cocaine and heroin.
"Furthermore, the electricity supply may have been tampered with (to bypass the meter), creating a high risk of fire – which could spread to neighbouring properties.
"That’s why we’re asking you to be vigilant, and report any suspicious activity."
Some of the key signs include:
- A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma
- Blacked out windows, and vents sealed or blocked to prevent the heat and smell of cannabis from inside the property escaping
- Bright lights throughout the night
- High levels of condensation on windows
- Noise from fans
- Large amounts of rubbish, including compost bags
- Workers digging up pavements and drives, sometimes around street lights - police say they may be trying to intercept the electricity supply
If something doesn’t feel right, you're urged to report it to the police online, 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you have any information about this incident and you would like to share it the police, you can report it online with the incident number 12230096601.