Sophisticated cannabis cultivation uncovered in two units: Arrow Court Estate, Kington
(HR5 - Wednesday, 5 October, 2011)

West Mercia Police has uncovered a sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation on an industrial estate near Kington.

Following local intelligence, officers from the Kington Local Policing Team executed a warrant at two units at the Arrow Court estate near the town yesterday morning (4 October).

They discovered two insulated ‘rooms' constructed out of plywood inside the units where cannabis had been grown on an industrial scale equipped with heating, lighting, thermostatic controls and fully ventilated.

A bucket containing an estimated £2,000 worth of what is believed to be skunk cannabis was also found and seized along with approximately £200 worth of other amounts of cannabis.

A man in his 40s was arrested in Ross-on-Wye at 9.30pm yesterday on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and remains in police custody in Hereford.

PC Tony Shaw, local policing officer for Kington, organised the warrant. He said:

"This operation was quite large scale, especially for somewhere like Kington.

"Rooms had been constructed inside the units to stop telltale heat and fumes escaping.

"It was very discreet and the other small businesses on Arrow Park had no idea what was taking place.

"When we entered the units it was clear that most of the plants had been harvested but we found a large amount of cannabis bush that had been dried and prepared for selling on.

"Rather than being dealt locally around Kington, we have intelligence to suggest the cannabis produced from this set up was being sent to the likes of Liverpool to be sold on.

"We have seized and will destroy all the cultivation equipment, which is expensive to purchase, and we will make sure that this operation doesn't produce another ounce of cannabis."

Inspector Martin Taylor, local policing inspector for north Herefordshire, said:

"West Mercia Police works hard to protect the rural communities of Herefordshire.

"This search warrant should send a clear message to those who would wish to come into Herefordshire to commit crime that drug dealing and production will not be tolerated and will do everything within our powers to prevent it."

Anyone who has information about the supply of controlled drugs in Herefordshire is urged to call the West Mercia Police non-emergency line, 0300 333 3000.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

NOTE: a man in his 40s was arrested in Ross-on-Wye at 9.30pm yesterday on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and remains in police custody in Hereford.

Police Force: West Mercia

Address:
Arrow Court
Lower Hergest
Kington
HEREFORDSHIRE
HR5