Hanbury cannabis farm raided by police as arrests made

Police carried out a warrant in at a large metal farm building in The Saltway, Hanbury, near Droitwich early this morning (Wednesday).

It is estimated the farm could have produced £410,000 of the drug in terms of street value.

Two men, aged 22 and 24, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of the production of a class B drug – cannabis and were taken into custody. Enquiries are ongoing.

ARRESTS: Two arrests were made as the cannabis farm in Hanbury was shut down during a warrant by West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police)

Nearly 500 plants were discovered at the site together with large-scale electrical, lighting and cultivation systems linked to the production of cannabis by officers from South Worcestershire Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT), supported by the force’s Task Force and Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team.

There was also further evidence at the scene of a grow that had already been cropped.

WARRANT: The cannabis farm in Hanbury is surrounded by officers from West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police)

The raid comes after intelligence was developed around the location following concerns about drugs and suspicious activity in the area.

Police Sergeant Shaun Blackshaw, of the NCFT, said: “This successful warrant today shows we will not tolerate criminal activity within our community and will continue to act on information given to us about drugs.

EVIDENCE: Police gather evidence after the cannabis farm warrant in Hanbury (Image: West Mercia Police)

“Cannabis farms like to this are often linked to serious and organised crime gangs, the drugs they sell have a negative impact on our communities and can lead to other localised criminality.

“The cultivation of these crops can also lead to the harm and exploitation of vulnerable people.”

SOPHISTICATED: The cannabis grow set-up in Hanbury (Image: West Mercia Police)

The local community can help by continuing to report any signs of criminal activity on West Mercia's website.

The public can report online under the Tell Us About section at West Mercia Police.

If you have information about drugs and drugs supply and don’t want to speak to police you can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the website.

The warrant forms part of Operation Target, which sees West Mercia Police work closely with other forces and partners to tackle serious and organised crime and the harm it causes.