Officers praise residents who helped them uncover cannabis farms
Hundreds of plants were seized from two farms in North Tyneside
Officers have praised the eagle-eyed residents who helped them uncover two cannabis farms worth an estimated ÂŁ145,000 and charge two suspects.
Earlier this month, officers attended an address on Oswin Road in Forest Hall to carry out a search of a house they believed was being used to cultivate the Class B drug.
And, although the search of that address proved negative, residents and neighbours came out to support officers and shared information which led to two subsequent farms being uncovered on the same street.
A total of 349 mature plants with an estimated street value of ÂŁ145,000 were seized and destroyed and two men aged 30 and 22 were arrested and subsequently charged.
Inspector Tom Hart of Northumbria Police said:
“We will always act on the information supplied to us by our communities and this job shows just how swift that action can be when residents are happy to cooperate with us.
“We know people have mixed feelings about the sale of cannabis but the reality is that no one wants to live next to a property which is being used for the cultivation of drugs, whatever those substances may be.
“These properties had both bypassed the electricity, putting the entire street at risk and had people coming and going at all hours.
Inspector Hart continued:
“We know that the proceeds from selling cannabis are often used to fund further crime, and traffic farmers in from other countries and as part of Operation Sentinel, we are determined to stop this criminality.
“I want to say a massive thank you to the residents of Forest Hall for reporting the suspicious behaviour to us, and for refusing to accept criminal activity in their area.”
If you suspect someone to be involved in drugs supply in your area, please report it to us using the Tell Us Something page on the police website.