Man arrested after police swoop on Tranmere cannabis farm

At around 10.15am on Tuesday, August 27, officers on patrol in Borough Road noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from a property.

A man was detained and a full search led to 372 plants and equipment being seized.

A 42-year-old man from Liscard was arrested on suspicion of Production of cannabis and possession of cannabis and remains in custody for questioning.

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Police found the stash of suspected drugs after noticing a 'strong smell of cannabis' (Image: Merseyside Police)
Detective Inspector Andrew Schofield said: "These large cannabis farms pose significant dangers to those who live and work nearby, so it is pleasing to see a risk removed from the community.
 
"We will act on all information to reduce the harm caused by drug supply, so come forward with any suspicions."

Cannabis plants found by police (Image: Merseyside Police)
A video in which Matt Brown, head of Merseyside Police's Matrix Cannabis Dismantling Team explains how you can spot signs of cannabis being grown near where you live, which can be viewed here.
 
Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:

• Strange smells and sounds
• Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times
• Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting
• Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed
• Heat from an adjoining property
• Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather

A 42-year-old man was arrested following the raid (Image: Merseyside Police)
Police say that while these activities may seem commonplace individually, together they may indicate something more suspicious.

Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.