POLICE last night smashed a sixth South Tyneside drug farm in as many weeks.
Acting on a tip-off, officers searched a flat in Graham Street, South Shields, and discovered about 50 cannabis plants and a number of boxes containing buds that had already been harvested.
A 63-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of producing a Class B drug.
Last night, the pair were helping police with inquiries.
Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton said police are forging closer links with letting agents after it emerged a high number of properties searched were being rented out.
Anyone with information about drugs in South Tyneside is asked to call police on 101 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
n A man accused of being behind a £100,000 South Tyneside drugs farm has appeared in court.
Hung Nguyen was arrested after police smashed a 100-plant farm in Mortimer Road on Thursday night.
The 23-year-old, of no fixed abode, is accused of growing the plants in the loft of the flat.
The Vietnamese man – who cannot speak English – was at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court yesterday facing a charge of producing the Class B drug.
However, there was no interpreter at the court and the case couldnot go ahead.
Hung was remanded in custody until Monday when an interpreter is expected at the court.