Police discover cannabis farm after helping drunk woman home

Police officers called to the aid of a woman who was found worse for wear in the street got more than thanks for their efforts - they sniffed out a drugs farm.
Police officers discovered the cannabis farm inside the loft of the house when they investigated.Police officers discovered the cannabis farm inside the loft of the house when they investigated.
Police officers discovered the cannabis farm inside the loft of the house when they investigated.

Northumbria Police took a call from a member of the public expressing concern about a woman in her front garden who appeared to be intoxicated.

Response officers were dispatched to the address where they quickly located the woman.They made sure she was okay and escorted her back to her home address which was only a few yards away.But when they helped her gain access to her address they noticed a strong smell of cannabis inside.The officers spoke to the occupant who pointed them towards a cannabis farm in the loft of the address.The 65-year-old woman and a 69-year-old man were arrested while growing equipment and 54 plants were seized.Inspector Julie Rana oversees the work of the neighbourhood team in the area and said any cannabis farms found by police will be seized and destroyed.She said: "The officers who responded to the initial call were primarily concerned about the welfare of the woman who was reported to be shouting in the street."Their priority was to make sure she got home safely and that she was not intimidating any other members of the public in the area."However, once inside they used their police officer instinct to sniff out criminal activity and seize what is quite a large home cannabis farm."We know that there are mixed views on the production of cannabis and how seriously it should be taken by police but the reality is that it is an illegal drug. “Regardless of what people think about the effect of cannabis on society, we will take seize and destroy any farms that we discover in our line of duty."The two people arrested following the call out to the Heaton area of Newcastle on Saturday have since been released under investigation while the farm and growing equipment found at the address have been seized.Anyone with information about drug use or supply in their local community is encouraged to contact police on 101.You can also report suspicious behaviour to police, that may be people loitering in your street or a number of people coming in and out of a particular address, by calling 101.There is also the option to report online at www.northumbria.police.uk or, anyone who would like to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.