Rowhedge Road Colchester cannabis factory found by police

Colchester Community Policing Team was called to Rowhedge Road following reports of concern at an address.

Upon arrival they gained entry to the property and found a drugs factory which had more than 500 cannabis plants being grown.

Officers estimate the street value for the quantity of the Class B drug they found is in excess of £250,000. It will now be destroyed.

Factory - a total of 500 cannabis plants worth more than £250,000 was found by the police (Image: Colchester Community Policing Team)

Sharing the discovery on social media, the Community Policing Team wrote: “These factories are dangerous and a significant fire risk and the running of them often involves exploiting vulnerable people by organised crime groups.

“If you have information you want to give about crime in your area, you can contact us on the telephone or online, or can report anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

A Freedom of Information request put to Essex Police by the Gazette revealed there were 14 cannabis farms found in the Colchester borough over the past three years.

They were discovered between July 2020 and this year.

Old Heath and the Hythe councillor Mike Lilley praised the police for swooping in on the latest find.

“It is good news that the police are doing raids. If you take drugs off the streets then that can only be a good thing,” said the councillor.

“It is nice to see officers are keeping on top of things and acting on information provided by the public.

“Now I hope they continue working to get rid of the Class A drugs because they are the ones which ruin people’s lives.”

Praise - Old Heath and the Hythe councillor Mike Lilley praised the police

Mr Lilley expressed his surprise at the factory being housed in Rowhedge Road, stating it was a rarity for the area.

He added: “It’s amazing that people still set up these farms, especially in an area where there are plenty of other houses and people around.

“If you’re going to have an illegal drugs farm you’d think you would have it in a place where it won’t be spotted so easily.”