Police find 400 cannabis plants in raid at Stourport house

Officers from West Mercia Police carried out the warrant at a house in Wesley Avenue, in Stourport, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Inside the house, officers found a large cannabis cultivation – spanning almost every room in the property.

A man, in his late 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.

Pc Sarah Francis said: "Once inside the property it was clear to us it was a large and professional operation. A man in his late 20s and of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity and is in police custody.

“As a result of the operation, we seized more than 400 plants and growing equipment which will now be destroyed.

"It is clear that this house was being used as part of a wider Serious Organised Crime (SOC) operation and working with our community and colleagues we will continue to disrupt and dismantle their illegal and exploitative operations.

“SOC activity such as this is hugely harmful to our villages and towns and exploits vulnerable and often young people to grow, distribute and sell drugs which are just part of a wider criminal operation. As was the case with this action, we listened to our community concerns and we acted."

She added: “Stourport is a safe place to live, work and visit but we know threats and risks exist from serious and organised crime.

"Therefore we are committed to raising awareness and doing everything possible to prevent people becoming victims. We will continue to remain committed to tackling organised criminal activity and all other forms of crime in North Worcestershire, keeping this a safe and pleasant place to live and work.”

Anyone with information is urged to call West Mercia Police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org