Four drug factories are found in West Midlands every day
More than 1,000 cannabis factories in the West Midlands have been uncovered in just 18 months – with up to four a day being found, figures reveal today.
The recession has seen a boom in cannabis farms in the region, according to the police cannabis disposal team.
The eight-strong team was set up 18 months ago. It was the first of its kind in the country and removes and destroys plants, before dismantling factory equipment.
Cannabis disposal manager Mike Hall said today's figures reveal the effect of the economic climate. He said his team would expect to find around four factories a day on operational days.
He said:?"We find that many gangs use drugs and particularly cannabis as a cashpoint.
"The cash from the factories goes into funding their criminal activity."
Mr Hall said once forensic teams have visited the farm, it will only take a matter of hours to clean it up.
The success of the team has led to other forces, like Merseyside, to copy its tactics.
Recent successes include a raid on a cannabis factory this week at Queens Court Industrial Estate off Greets Green Road, West Bromwich, where up to 1,000 plants with a street value of £500,000 were seized.
