Cannabis factory found in city centre nightclub
A large cannabis factory has been found in a city centre nightclub, police have said.
Officers raided the Vodka Bar and Nightclub on Upper Brook Street, Winchester, early on Monday morning.
Inside they found a "large number of cannabis plants at various stages of growth".
A 54-year-old man from the city was arrested and bailed.
He was held on suspicion of producing a controlled Class B drug and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property.
He has been bailed with conditions until 20 February while inquiries continue.
The plants were seized and will be destroyed, police added.
Police raided the building in the early hours of Monday morning
Insp Matt Kirby said "any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm".
“Large scale operations are often run by organised crime groups, who are often connected to very serious violence," he said.
He said the equipment and building modifications needed to grow cannabis can be "a huge fire risk".
He also apologised for the disruption the police presence in the city centre caused.
