Man arrested as police uncover large-scale cannabis farm worth £55,000 in South Shields
Northumbria Police have uncovered and dismantled a large-scale cannabis farm in South Shields.
Police officers from South Tyneside’s Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) executed a warrant at an address on Ashley Road, in South Shields, on Thursday, March 26.
Once inside the property, officers discovered a cannabis farm containing 110 plants across three large rooms.
Police have stated that the plants and equipment inside the address were valued at approximately £55,000 - with the electricity of the property also having been bypassed.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the cannabis farm and he has since been released on police bail.
Northumbria Police have confirmed that the large-scale farm has been dismantled and the drugs seized as partners worked to make the address safe.
Inspector David Heron, of South Shields Neighbourhood Policing Team, has thanked members of the public for providing intelligence to the Force which then led to the discover of the cannabis farm.
He said: "This farm had the potential to generate hundreds and thousands of pounds in criminal cash, which could potentially have been further invested in organised crime – and we won’t tolerate that.
"This discovery came about from information and intelligence generated from information from you about what’s happening in your communities.
“We’re thankful we were able to swiftly act on it.
“We'd ask members of the public to remain vigilant and help be our eyes and ears as we root out this type of criminality.
“We'd also urge landlords to be vigilant with who might be renting or using their units and premises.
“If you see anything suspicious in your community, please let us know.
“Your information could result in us bringing effective justice against criminals who are operating in your area.”
The cannabis farm at the Ashley Road property is the third that has been uncovered by Northumbria Police in the last few months.
Then on Friday, March 6, police raided a property on Alice Street, in South Shields - in which they valued the plants and growing equipment at £60,000.