Police raid empty Marks and Spencer store and find crop of 1,000 Cannabis plants
A crop of nearly 1,000 cannabis plants have been discovered by police in a former Marks and Spencer outlet.
Drugs squad officers swooped on the empty shop in Buxton, Derbyshire, and found the cannabis where shoppers had once browsed for cosmetics and clothes.
Lights and an irrigation system had been set up above the crops to help them flourish.
A 34-year-old man, believed to be an Albanian national, was arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and immigration offences.
A crop of nearly 1,000 cannabis plants have been discovered by police in a former Marks and Spencer outlet. Drugs squad officers swooped on the empty shop in Buxton, Derbyshire, and found the cannabis where shoppers had once browsed for cosmetics and clothes
Derbyshire Police said today that approximately 975 plants were found growing in the store in Spring Gardens, Buxton, following a tip-off from the public.
The raid was carried out by the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team and approximately the plants were found on several floors.
An investigation is now ongoing and further enquiries are being carried out.
The arrested man has been handed over to the immigration authorities and a referral has been made to the Home Office, which will investigate if he may be the victim of modern-day slavery.
It is part of an ongoing long-term operation to target serious and organised crime in the local area, known as Project Unity.
The project brings together many different local agencies with the aim of working together to address issues in the area.
Sergeant Patrick Haley said: 'Through information we received from the local community we discovered a large, sophisticated cannabis grow which has now been dismantled and seized.
'We would like to thank the public for their continued support, and we would encourage people to report their concerns and information about drug misuse to us.'
The officer added: 'While some people may think that cannabis use causes no real harm to others, the reality is that behind the scenes there can be links to organised criminality, violence and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Lights and an irrigation system had been set up above the crops to help them flourish.
Derbyshire Police said today that approximately 975 plants were found growing in the store in Spring Gardens, Buxton, following a tip-off from the public.
The raid was carried out by the local Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team and approximately the plants were found on several floors
'Illegal cannabis grows often also put others in danger, posing a risk of fire, flood or damage.
'We are committed to targeting crime and taking proactive action to tackle drug production and cut out its supply to ensure our area is a safe place to live, work and visit.'
Signs that cannabis might be being grown
- Strange smells and sounds. Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times.
- Gardening equipment being taken into a building or property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting.
- Windows sealed and covered, or the curtains are permanently closed.
- Heat from an adjoining property.
It comes after two men were jailed for growing more than 500 cannabis plants inside a derelict Poundland store in Worcester.
The discovery was made in June after staff at neighbouring shops began complaining about the smell coming from the empty store.
Denis Voka, 24, and Gjediku Kadri, 41, were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production following the discovery.
A court heard that the pair were found covered in mud hiding underneath the building's emergency fire exit staircase.
Both men were in the UK illegally and are now facing deportation after they pleaded guilty to producing a class B drug.
Voka and Kadri, both of no fixed abode, were jailed for 33 months each at Worcester Crown Court last week.
The court heard police executed a drugs warrant at the premises of the former bargain shop at 9.25am on June 6.
After forcing the door open, police found the old shop floor empty except for ongoing building work. There was, however, 'considerable resistance' upstairs with it taking over five minutes for officers to open two metal doors locked from the inside.
Officers found a 'significant cannabis cultivation' with 500 plans, artificial light, ventilation, and other drug paraphernalia.
An investigation is now ongoing and further enquiries are being carried out.
Police also found a kitchen area with a significant amount of food stores there, along with two bedroom areas where Voka and Kadri had slept.
The court heard that Kadri had become involved in cannabis cultivation as he was desperate for money.
It heard that he was an illegal immigrant and did not have the documentation to get a legitimate job.
The court was also told that Voka said he had come to the UK on the promise of job opportunities which did not materialise.
