Officers from the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) have discovered a cannabis farm in Dudley, following a series of raids carried out today. During the operation, which also included raids at several other properties in Birmingham, officers arrested six people and discovered around 80 cannabis plants, which have an estimated street value of £80,000.
A 34-year-old Albanian man, a 29-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were arrested for immigration offences and will be dealt with by the Immigration Office. During the raids, officers also discovered around £50,000 in cash and found around 20 kilograms of herbal cannabis hidden in a loft.
As part of the operation, officers also raided a house in Warstone Lane, Birmingham, where around two kilograms of cocaine were found. Two men, aged 23 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of possession of the class A drug with intent to distribute.
Another search was carried out in Pumphouse Way, Birmingham, where a large quantity of cannabis growing equipment was found in a garden shed.
NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar said: “Organised crime and cannabis cultivation are often closely linked to illegal immigration, with individuals illegally present in the UK being exploited to work in this trade or forced to pay off debt for their journey.”
He stressed that this seizure is a significant blow to organized crime groups, leaving a significant financial gap for the gangs that benefit from this criminal activity.
