£1m worth of cannabis plants found in Swindon

More than a million pounds' worth of cannabis plants have been found after a series of police raids in Swindon.

Eight cannabis factories have been found in the town, and six people who'd been trafficked from London to Swindon have also been rescued.

Police began the operation on Thursday evening, and continued through the weekend, with addresses in Exmouth Street, County Road, Pakenham Road, Westcott Place, Belle Vue Road, Alfred Street and Newhall Street.

Two men, aged 21 and 22, from the London area were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production and human trafficking offences and have been released on conditional bail.

The men thought to have been trafficked, who are aged between 19 and 28 are in the care specialist officers.

"We will find and dismantle these factories"

Detective Inspector Angela Shipp, who is leading the investigation, said, "In most of these addresses each room had been converted for the wholesale production of cannabis plants. Men had been trafficked and were being kept in the properties to look after the plants; these victims were rescued and are assisting in this investigation.

"Factories of this scale produce in excess of four million pounds of cannabis in a single year. The damage caused to the properties from these set ups leaves homeowners, who have rented out their houses, with thousands of pounds worth of repairs.

"Human Trafficking for cannabis production is often seen as a hidden crime, but this operation by Wiltshire Police shows that this type of crime occurs within our communities in plain sight and the extent of the impact on vulnerable victims and to the wider local community is appalling.

"My message is clear for those that commit these offences of human trafficking, by preying on vulnerable individuals, and setting up cannabis factories - if you come to Wiltshire to do this, we will find and dismantle these factories and bring you to justice."

• swindon
• wiltshire police