Cannabis seized in raid

Monday 6th November 2006, 3:40PM GMT.

cannabispic.jpgPolice recovered more than 100 cannabis plants in a raid on a Hednesford bungalow.

The officer leading the operation, Det Sgt Gary Wassell, said every room in the property at Eskrett Street contained cannabis plants and lighting equipment when it was raided at 9.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Wassell, from Cannock Police’s pro-active unit, confirmed there were more than 100 plants but said it was too early to establish the street value as the investigation was still under way.

He said: “It was a full set-up with lighting, heating and insulation. It is usually confined to one room or the loft of a property but in this case it was the whole house.”

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cannabispic.jpgPolice recovered more than 100 cannabis plants in a raid on a Hednesford bungalow.

The officer leading the operation, Det Sgt Gary Wassell, said every room in the property at Eskrett Street contained cannabis plants and lighting equipment when it was raided at 9.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Wassell, from Cannock Police’s pro-active unit, confirmed there were more than 100 plants but said it was too early to establish the street value as the investigation was still under way.

He said: “It was a full set-up with lighting, heating and insulation. It is usually confined to one room or the loft of a property but in this case it was the whole house.”

He said the raid was the result of a call-out from a concerned member of the public.

He said the occupants of the bungalow had made off before officers arrived.

The five-man pro-active team were at the property for three to four hours yesterday collecting the plants and equipment.

Neighbour, Andrew Bensley, aged 44, said the detached bungalow had been boarded up for about four months following the eviction of a gang of troublesome teenagers who had been renting the property.

He said he believed it was going to be renovated and rented out again but had instead been left “derelict” and was a “blight” on the street.

He said another neighbour had spotted a group of around 20 youths entering the bungalow on Saturday night with a can of petrol and had feared they were going to set fire to the place.

The neighbour called the police and the cannabis was discovered when they arrived. Mr Bensley said: “The amount of equipment was phenomenal. We are all really shocked in the street.”

Witnesses should call police on 08453 302010.

By Jo Mason



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