Man safeguarded after police raid large cannabis farm in Middlesbrough

A man - who's believed to be a victim of modern day slavery - is being supported by specialist teams, after a large cannabis farm in Middlesbrough was raided by police.

Author: Ellie KumarPublished 20th Dec 2022

A man - who's believed to be a victim of modern day slavery - is being supported by specialist teams, after a large cannabis farm in Middlesbrough was raided by police.

An industrial unit in the Newport area was raided yesterday morning, with officers finding over 3 hundred plants - worth quarter of a million pounds.

Officers from Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Team and the Operational Support Unit attended an industrial unit on Greta Street in the Newport area, after information was received by the local community.

320 plants were located within an industrial unit, with a street value of over £250,000.

A man aged in his forties was located and is currently being treated as a victim of modern day slavery. He is being supported by the Complex Exploitation Team (CET) and partner agencies.

Cannabis recovered from the farm

Sergeant John Sproson, from Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“Today we have safeguarded one male and seized over a quarter of a million pounds worth of drugs, which could have potentially ended up getting on to the streets of Middlesbrough.

“The neighbourhood team will act upon any information given regarding drugs activity and would urge members of the local community to come forward and report it. We will listen and we will take action, just as we have today.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.