News
10 arrested after police bust ‘unassuming’ cannabis farm with hundreds of plants in Tameside
"Every cannabis farm we destroy helps break the vicious cycle."
Emily Sergeant -
20th June 2023 
10 men have been arrested after police busted a huge cannabis inside an “unassuming row of terraced houses” in Tameside.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that, in the early hours of yesterday morning (19 June), officers from the Tameside district lined-up in front of properties across Whitacre Road and Curzon Road in Ashton-under-Lyne, all ready to “smash through the doors” after being supported by Home Office Immigration Enforcement in executing six simultaneous warrants to do so.
Behind the doors of the “unassuming row of terraced houses”, police discovered over 400 cannabis plants, and went on two make a series of arrests.
A total of 10 men, all between the ages of 22 and 44, were arrested – with three on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, money laundering, and immigration offences, three on suspicion of being concerned in the production of cannabis, and one on suspicion of being concerned in the production of cannabis and possession of class A and B drugs.
One man was also arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis, abstracting electricity, and immigration offences, while the final two men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.
Each of the arrested men remain in police custody for questioning.
“We understand the public have varying views on cannabis,” explained Chief Inspector Claire Galt of GMP Tameside’s district after the raids.
“But its cultivation, sale, and distribution brings devastation to our communities in the form of violence and exploitation.
“The amount of energy required for a cannabis farm of this size mean the criminals bypass the electricity supply to avoid paying for it. This causes a significant fire hazard to those who are forced to live and work there, but also innocent members of the public in neighbouring properties are also put at risk because of these brazen and careless criminals.
Read more:
- Government denies it’s planning to upgrade cannabis to a Class A drug
- Police seize £250k cash and huge cannabis stash from Manchester city centre apartment
- TV chef Gino D’Acampo ‘caught with cannabis by sniffer dogs as he flew into UK’
“Every cannabis farm we destroy helps break the vicious cycle.
“The plants won’t end up on the street, the profits won’t go to fund other crime, and vulnerable people who are being taken advantage of by these gangs can be safeguarded.”
Featured Image – GMP
