Cannabis plants are found close to shops

Police discovered cannabis plants at a storage unit behind shops and offices in a Black Country town following a raid on the site.

Officers smashed their way into the site, behind Diamond Bathrooms, in Lye Cross, after workers from nearby offices reported potent smells and informed police of their concern. The unit is totally separate to the bathroom firm and has no links to that company. Officers discovered a box of cannabis plants drying out in the unit.

Workers were shocked to hear what had been discovered by officers during the operation.

Louise Withey, who works at Vickers, Reynolds & Co accountants above the unit, said the smell had been so potent it had given her and other staff a headache.

"A really strong smell started coming up, so we phoned the police and asked them to come and have a look," she said.

"Most of the staff here started having headaches the smell was that strong, a couple even had to go home.

"The police told us they found a box of cannabis that had been left there to dry out."

Colleague John Thomson added: "I never get headaches so I knew something wasn't quite right.

"You can't believe anyone would think they would get away with storing it so close to shops and offices, especially when you smell how strong it is."

Hairdresser Graham Perks, who owns a salon next door to the unit, said: "I know the people upstairs smelt it through the air conditioning and phoned the police.

"I could smell something but I just presumed it was the hops from the Windsor Castle brewery over the road. When the police smashed the door in though you could really smell it.

I don't know who rents the unit."

The discovery is one of a number in Dudley in the past 12 months.

In November last year thousands of pounds worth of cannabis plants were uncovered during an early morning swoop on a home in Bluebell Road on the Priory estate.

By Wayne Beese