Man and woman arrested after police discover cannabis farm worth £99,000 while chasing suspect in South Shields

The discovery came while officers carried out searches in the street after a suspect abandoned his car and fled on foot down a South Shields street.

Officers from Northumbria Police’s firearms support unit were pursing an Audi on Thursday, April 30, when the driver, a 24-year-old man, hopped out of the car and fled down Lemon Street, South Shields.

A foot chase ensued and as officers carried out inquiries in a bid to locate the suspect, they uncovered a cannabis farm inside a flat on the street – which contained 150 mature cannabis plants worth an estimated £99,000.

The property’s electrical system had also been bypassed.

A 31-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were subsequently arrested on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis. They have since been released under investigation and the farm has been dismantled and the plants destroyed.

The Audi, which was left abandoned on Lemon Street, has since been uplifted and inquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, who is not believed to be connected to the cannabis farm.

Chief Inspector Sam Rennison said: “Our officers were led right to this discovery after their tireless pursuit of a suspect.

“Because of their good old-fashioned police work, a farm which could be worth up to £99,000 has now been dismantled and any future profits prevented from lining the pockets of criminals.

“We know members of the public have differing views on cannabis use but these farms often have links to serious and organised crime, preying on our most vulnerable.

“These farms can also be potentially fatal for those living in neighbouring properties due to their precarious electrical systems.

“We will continue to work with our partners to tackle this kind of criminality under the banner of Operation Sentinel and our officers will now carry out a thorough investigation into this.”

Report any suspicious activity to police using its online reporting tool, or via Crimestoppers.

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