Cannabis farms worth £1.5 million busted by police as they raid three Sunderland buildings

More than 3,000 cannabis plants have been seized after three cannabis farms were uncovered in raids by police across Sunderland.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 1st Nov 2020, 11:14 BST
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Northumbria Police estimates the value of the drugs at £1.5 million after the farms were discovered in Ashbrooke, Hendon and Hetton.

The force has thanked the community for the information which led to the search warrants being carried out, after residents told officers after the suspected drug supply in the respective areas, while firefighters uncovered one after being called to a house blaze.

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Northumbria Police found a total of 3,000 plants inside three cannabis farms, with this photo showing inside the building raided in Hendon.Northumbria Police found a total of 3,000 plants inside three cannabis farms, with this photo showing inside the building raided in Hendon.
Northumbria Police found a total of 3,000 plants inside three cannabis farms, with this photo showing inside the building raided in Hendon.
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Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing, of Northumbria Police, said: “These types of sophisticated operations often have links to serious and organised crime, with the money earned from them used to fund other criminality.

“Make no mistake; the three farms that we detected and dismantled will provide a dent in the pockets of organised criminals.

“Two of the seizures came off the back of members of the community getting in touch about suspected criminality in their area.

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Northumbria Police acted after receiving tip offs from residents, as well as from a crew of firefighters called to a house fire.Northumbria Police acted after receiving tip offs from residents, as well as from a crew of firefighters called to a house fire.
Northumbria Police acted after receiving tip offs from residents, as well as from a crew of firefighters called to a house fire.

"That allowed officers to take swift and decisive action – and ultimately keep these drugs out the hands of vulnerable people in our communities.

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“The other came from our partners at the fire service who attended a house fire and found the farm within.

"Quite often with these operations, the electricity has been by-passed – posing a real and significant danger to not only that property but neighbouring ones too.

“Nobody wants to live next to a potential death trap.

Police have valued amount of cannabis found in the three farms at £1.5 million.Police have valued amount of cannabis found in the three farms at £1.5 million.
Police have valued amount of cannabis found in the three farms at £1.5 million.

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"If you suspect someone to be involved in drug supply in your area, pick up the phone and report it – by doing so, you could save lives.”

An investigation is ongoing into each of the discoveries.

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